The Brazilian winger impressed with two goal contributions on an otherwise frustrating night
Raphinha scored Barcelona's first goal, assisted the second, and turned in a complete attacking performance in an otherwise forgettable Tuesday night fixture against mid-table Mallorca. Barca trailed twice, and pushed for a winner late on, but were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw.
Mallorca took the lead inside 10 minutes, the home side taking advantage of a poor pass from Marc-Andre ter Stegen, before crafting a chance for Vedat Muriqi – who couldn't miss with the goal gaping. Barca struggled to create for most of the first half, with Ferran Torres coming closest when he saw an effort denied from five yards out.
But the equaliser eventually came, Raphinha cutting onto his left foot and lashing a shot into the bottom corner from 20 yards out. The Brazilian should have made it two on the stroke of half time, but sent a shot flying over the bar after running through on goal. And Barca were made to pay for their inability to convert, as Abdon Prats finished past a languid Ter Stegen after latching too easily onto a long ball from the Mallorca goalkeeper.
The Blaugrana created more in the second half, though, and were good value for their equaliser. One substitute started it, and another finished, with Lamine Yamal leading a slick move down the right, before Raphinha squared the ball to an advancing Fermin Lopez, who found the corner.
And Barca never really came that close again. Mallorca were resolute at the back, and offered enough going forward to ensure that the Blaugrana were never comfortable on the ball – battling for a point that didn't flatter them whatsoever.
GOAL rates Barcelona's players from Iberostar Stadium…
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Marc Andre ter Stegen (4/10):
Made a mistake to gift Mallorca the first goal, and was slow off his line for the second.
Joao Cancelo (5/10):
Disappointing after turning in a match-winning performance against Celta Vigo. Some of his passing was sloppy, and he didn't cover enough ground defensively.
Ronald Araujo (6/10):
Not necessarily comfortable, but distributed well enough, and made a few vital clearances. Showed some excellent recovery pace when necessary, too.
Inigo Martinez (5/10):
Given a tricky evening by Muriqi, and couldn't deal with the striker's physicality. Clear that he needs more first team football to find his best form.
Alejandro Balde (6/10):
Got forward with regularity, but didn't create too many opportunities – though it can be argued that Barca didn't use him enough.
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Ilkay Gundogan (6/10):
Got into advanced areas, but was suffocated before he could create anything. Moved into a more defensive role as Barca checked the game. He's not quite hit the ground running in Catalunya.
Oriol Romeu (6/10):
Beaten too easily in the air when Mallorca got their second. Sacrificed for a more attacking formation.
Gavi (7/10):
Disrupted play from a deeper role, and made an impact going forward, too. Barca's best midfielder on the night.
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Raphinha (8/10):
Scored a wonderful goal and assisted the second. He will have to fight for his spot if Yamal continues to impress. These kinds of performances should be more than enough to keep him around.
Ferran Torres (5/10):
Missed Barca's best chance of the first half – seeing a close-range effort saved. Only seems to have a big impact off the bench.
Joao Felix (6/10):
Dangerous in the final third without being immensely effective. Hit the post and saw an effort saved, but wasn't at his best.
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Robert Lewandowski (6/10):
Came off the bench for just the second time in his Barca career. A wonderful dummy set up the equaliser. Didn't have many opportunities in front of goal.
Lamine Yamal (8/10):
Almost won a penalty 60 seconds after entering the fold. Was instrumental in setting up the Barca leveler. Devastating in one-on-ones, as well.
Fermin Lopez (7/10):
Came off the bench to equalise – his first goal in La Liga. Energetic off the ball and tidy on it.
Jules Kounde (5/10):
Shaky after coming on. Misplaced a couple of passes, and almost gave away a goal after a sloppy piece of defending.
Xavi (5/10):
Made the bold call to bench Lewandowski, and certainly missed Frenkie de Jong. Barca never really controlled the game, and were made to pay for a couple of defensive errors. It seemed likely to be a tricky midweek fixture, and it proved as such. Not his finest night as Barca manager.