Barcelona extended their unbeaten away record against Osasuna to seven matches after battling back from a goal down to win an action-packed match 2-1 after Robert Lewandowski was sent off in the first half.

A first loss of the season for Real Madrid presented the opportunity for Barça to cement their place at the peak of La Liga heading into the month-long FIFA World Cup break. 

Jagoba Arrasate’s men began superbly with an opening goal inside six minutes. Soon it would go from bad to worse for La Blaugrana, too, as Lewandowski received only the second red card of his career. 

The first booking after 11 minutes for a push on Nacho Vidal was followed by a second 19 minutes later for a nonsensical elbow on the goalscorer, García, when challenging for a header. 

Moments before half time Ferran Torres was denied by the offside flag from close range.

Gerard Piqué was bizarrely also shown the red card in the tunnel during the break for protesting referee Jesús Gil Manzano’s decisions, denying the defender a final La Liga substitute appearance before retirement.

Within three minutes of the restart, Barça had got back on level terms thanks to Pedri, latching onto an interception to fire in unmarked in the box.

The result put a five-point gap between Real Madrid and Barcelona after the Los Blancos lost 3-2 to Rayo Vallecano away from home on Monday despite Luka Modric and Eder Militao’s goals.

Barcelona’s next game in La Liga will be on the 31st of December 2022 at home to Espanyol.

In other matches played on Tuesday, Girona beat Elche 2-1, while Atletico Bilbao beat Real Valladolid 3-0.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Almeria will host Getafe, Sevilla will welcome Real Sociedad, Villarreal will travel to Espanyol, and Mallorca will face Atletico Madrid.

Daniel Ademiju Idowu