Barcelona comfortably defeat Osasuna to extend their lead at the top of LaLiga by three points.

Barcelona has created a three-point lead at the top of LaLiga after securing a 3-0 victory against Osasuna in their rescheduled match at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, extending their unbeaten run to 19 matches across all competitions.

This rearranged fixture was marred by scheduling controversy, with several key players missing from the Barcelona squad due to the proximity to the international break.

With Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski not starting, a rotated Barcelona side quickly seized control, taking the lead within the first 15 minutes as Ferran Torres converted Alejandro Balde’s excellent delivery from close range.

The hosts were presented with a golden opportunity to extend their lead shortly after, when Dani Olmo was brought down in the box by Sergio Herrera.

Osasuna’s goalkeeper saved Olmo’s initial penalty, but a second kick was awarded due to encroachment by an Osasuna player, which Olmo dispatched into the bottom corner on the second attempt.

Barcelona dominated the first half, and they could have made it three before the interval had Torres’ free-kick not rebounded off the crossbar five minutes before half-time.

While Osasuna struggled to pose any significant threat in the first half, they came close to reopening the contest immediately after the break, with Jorge Herrando’s header narrowly missing the target from close range.

Following the half-time interval, substitute Pablo Torre nearly put the match beyond reach for Barcelona but his effort flew just wide of the mark from a resulting goal-kick.

To eliminate any potential threat of a comeback from Osasuna, Hansi Flick brought Lewandowski on from the bench, and his arrival proved decisive, as he headed in Fermín López’s cross, sealing a swift counterattack.

With one eye on their upcoming clash against Girona, the Catalan side eased off in intensity for the remainder of the match.

This win expands their lead to three points over second-placed Real Madrid, while they hold a seven-point advantage over Atlético Madrid, effectively turning the title race into a duel between two teams.

Osasuna’s campaign hangs in the balance, sitting only six points clear of the relegation zone with ten matches left to play.

Check out a summary of the match here