Raphinha brace helps end Barcelona's La Liga slump

Leaders Barcelona have got back to winning ways in Spain in style, routing Mallorca 5-1 with a pair of goals by Raphinha.

Ferran Torres, Frenkie de Jong and Pau Victor also scored for Barcelona, who hadn't won in three consecutive La Liga games to allow Real Madrid to inch closer at the top of the standings. Madrid are now four points back although they have two games in hand.

"It was very important to win this game," Barca coach Hansi Flick said.

"In the first half we had many chances, but in the second half we were the best. We talked about what we should do, we scored goals, and created opportunities. It's great."

Torres, who got to start in place of league-leading scorer Robert Lewandowski on Tuesday night, opened the scoring in the 12th minute after Mallorca defenders failed to clear a ball from inside the area.

The hosts equalised with Vedat Muriqi just before halftime in what was Mallorca's only shot on target, but Raphinha put Barcelona back in front by converting a 56th-minute penalty kick. He added to the lead in the 74th after a nice assist by Lamine Yamal.

Raphinha now has 11 goals in 16 league games this season.

Yamal also helped set up De Jong's goal five minutes later, not long after the midfielder had come off the bench. It was De Jong who then assisted Victor's goal in the 84th.

"I didn't want Lewandowski to be a substitute, but I had a good feeling to rest him," Flick added.

"I also thought about the possibility of resting Raphinha, but he is in very good condition, and you have seen that."

Barcelona have scored five or more goals in a match for the sixth time this season across all competitions and have outscored opponents 48-17 in the league alone.

Barcelona had lost twice in their last three league matches — 2-1 to Las Palmas at home and 1-0 at Real Sociedad. Their other setback was a 2-2 draw at Celta Vigo when leading 2-0 until late in the match.

Mallorca, who were coming off two straight league victories — against Valencia and at Las Palmas, sit in sixth place on 24 points, 13 behind the Catalan club.