Raphinha of FC Barcelona celebrates after scoring the workforce’s first purpose throughout the LaLiga Santander match between FC Barcelona and Valencia CF at Spotify Camp Nou on March 05, 2023 in Barcelona, Spain
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Barcelona stored its title-chasing momentum by beating Valencia 1-0 and rising its lead over Real Madrid within the Spanish league on Sunday.
Raphinha scored a first-half winner for Barcelona, which missed a penalty from Ferran Torres early within the second half after which noticed defender Ronald Araujo despatched off.
The win on the Camp Nou stadium got here three days after Barcelona defeated Madrid 1-0 on the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium within the first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinals. The Catalan membership took its league lead over Madrid to 10 factors, rising the pressure on its rival. Madrid performs at Real Betis later Sunday.
Barcelona had misplaced two in a row — towards Manchester United within the Europa League and Almeria within the league — earlier than arising with the massive Copa victory towards Madrid on the Bernabéu.
Raphinha scored with a header after a well-placed cross by Sergio Busquets within the fifteenth minute. Torres missed the penalty within the fifty fifth and 4 minutes later Araujo was despatched off for stopping a breakaway.
Barcelona obtained the win regardless of nonetheless lacking a few of its prime gamers, together with Robert Lewandowski, the league’s main scorer. Ousmane Dembélé and Pedri additionally didn’t play due to accidents, whereas playmaker Gavi was out due to a yellow-card suspension.
“We are not being effective up front and end up suffering to close out matches,” mentioned Barcelona coach Xavi, who watched from the stands due to a suspension.
Valencia was making an attempt to win two in a row after a run of six consecutive losses in all competitions. It got here into the Camp Nou contained in the relegation zone and lacking a number of gamers due to harm, together with veteran striker Edinson Cavani. It dropped to nineteenth place, two factors from security.
It was Valencia’s third sport with coach Rubén Baraja in cost after he changed Gennaro Gattuso. Singaporean membership proprietor Peter Lim nonetheless faces protests from Valencia followers who accuse him of poor administration and never caring for the membership’s pursuits.
Valencia unsuccessfully demanded a penalty kick when Fran Pérez was introduced down by Barcelona midfielder Franck Kessié inside the world within the eighty fifth.
Madrid, which drew 1-1 at dwelling towards Atletico Madrid within the earlier spherical, will go to Betis with out midfielder Luka Modric due to a yellow-card suspension. Betis shall be lacking two key playmakers due to accidents — Nabil Fekir and Sergio Canales.
Madrid and Barcelona will play their last league sport on March 19 on the Camp Nou.
Valladolid victory
Valladolid defeated Espanyol 2-1 in a match between two golf equipment making an attempt to keep removed from the relegation zone.
Iván Sánchez scored within the twenty fifth and Álvaro Aguado within the 62nd for Valladolid, which moved to 14th place, two factors clear from the drop zone.
Martin Braithwaite netted within the 87th for Espanyol, which was twelfth however stayed with the identical 27 factors as Valladolid.
Valladolid hadn’t gained in three straight matches. Espanyol had gained two in a row.
Disappointing draw
Seventh-place Rayo Vallecano and eighth-place Athletic Bilbao drew 0-0 in a consequence that stored the golf equipment from shifting up into the European qualification locations.
Athletic almost got here away with the street win when Nico Williams’ stoppage-time shot struck the crossbar.
Both groups are winless in 4 straight league matches.
