CNN
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Gerard Pique’s footballing career ended in ignominy as he received a red card from the substitutes’ bench, but Barcelona secured an important 2-1 victory against Osasuna nonetheless.
With Robert Lewandowski also red carded in the first half, Barca fought back with one goal to move five points clear of rivals Real Madrid at the top of La Liga.
Osasuna took the lead in the sixth minute of Tuesday’s game when David García took the lead from a corner kick.
Barcelona’s problems then deepened when Lewandowski, La Liga’s top scorer this season, received a second yellow card for a heavy challenge against García – only the second time in his career the striker has been sent off .
Tempers were soaring as the players headed for the tunnel at half-time, so much so that Pique received a red card for dissent without even coming onto the pitch in the final match of his Barca career, which left him has seen over 600 games played over a 14 year period.
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A man down in the second half, the visiting side quickly responded thanks to Pedri’s goal after Jordi Alba’s superb ball into the box.
The match looked set to end in a draw, but with five minutes remaining Frenkie de Jong sent a superb long ball towards substitute Raphinha, who placed his diving header over goalkeeper Aitor Fernández and into the fillet of Osasuna.
“Our team has shown the most maturity since I’ve been here,” Barca manager Xavi told reporters after the game. “We had an hour with only 10 players, [Osasuna has] barely created at this time… Today is the victory of a family team and I am very proud of it.
Real Madrid have a chance to close the gap on the Blaugrana against Cadiz on Thursday, but victory against Osasuna ensures Xavi’s side begin the seven-week club break for the World Cup at the top of La Liga.
