Barça 5-4 Osasuna Magna: High-scoring win to end 2023

Despite missing players from the squad, Barça managed to defeat Osasuna Magna 5-4 in a very competitive game, with both sides scoring three in the first half. This win ends a great year in the Liga for the blaugranes, given they won the 2022/23 season and now sit top of the table at the halfway point this season.

First half goalfest

The crowd at the Palau saw six goals scored in the first 20 minutes of the game. Matheus missed a one-on-one chance after three minutes, but captain Dyego showed the way four minutes later, getting away from two defenders to score (1-0). Another goal to celebrate after 11 minutes, Pito with some great individual skill to make it 2-0.

However, Eloy got one back for the visitors soon after and the equaliser came only 50 seconds later, with 'Pulguita' Geraghty in the right place to divert a Fabinho shot past Dídac. Pito then put the blaugranes back in front by finishing a rebound (3-2), but Dani Saldise made it 3-3 not half a minute later.

Win finally confirmed

Jesús Velasco's side came out after the break scoring, André Coelho putting them back in the lead after 22 minutes, assisted by Dyego (4-3). The visitors pushed, but Dídac was there to make two great stops in two minutes. With four minutes to go and Osasuna Magna playing with a fly keeper, Antonio scored from his own half to extend the lead to 5-3.

Fabinho then showed individual brilliance to take his side within a goal of a draw (5-4), but despite some nervy minutes, the blaugranes managed to see the game out with Dídac solid at the back, much to the thrill of the 4,187 watching on. A win to end 2023 and to relish what's to come in 2024.

GAME STATS

Barça, 5.
Osasuna Magna, 4.

Barça: Dídac, Antonio, Tapias, Matheus, Pito - starting five - Miquel Freixas. Touré, Kokoro, Aniol, Erick, André Coelho.

Osasuna Magna: Asier, Juninho, Pachu, Linhares, Dani Saldise - starting five - Palazón, Geraghty, Fabinho, Tony, Ion Cerviño, Léo Café, Eloy.

Goals: 1-0, Dyego (min. 7); 2-0, Pito (min. 11); 2-1, Eloy (min. 14); 2-2, Geraghty (min. 15); 3-2, Pito (min. 19); 3-3, Dani Saldise (min. 19); 4-3, André Coelho (min. 22); 5-3, Antonio (min. 36); 5-4, Fabinho (min. 39).

Referees: Manuel Jesús Barrilero, Carlos Enrique Bustos, Xavier García and Montserrat Llamazares. Yellow card for Pito.