Lewandowski, Pique sent off as Barca rally past Osasuna

Madrid, Nov. 10: With an improbable win, Barcelona made sure it will go into the World Cup break at the top of the Spanish league standings.

Robert Lewandowski was shown his first red card in nearly a decade and Gerard Piqué was sent off from the bench in his last career match, but Raphinha scored late as Barcelona rallied to defeat Osasuna 2-1 and secure the Spanish league lead ahead of the World Cup stoppage.

Lewandowski's second career red card came in the first half of Tuesday's victory, which left the Catalan club five points ahead of Real Madrid. Madrid, which has a game in hand, endured its first league loss of the season, 3-2 at Rayo Vallecano on Monday. The defending champions will host relegation-threatened Cádiz on Thursday.

Piqué was sent off for complaining to the referee following the halftime whistle. The veteran Spain defender had made Xavi Hernández's squad even though he bid farewell at the Camp Nou at the weekend after announcing his retirement from soccer.

Lewandowski, who hadn't been sent off since 2013 while still playing for Borussia Dortmund, was shown his second yellow card in the 31st minute after going hard into the body of Osasuna defender David García away from the ball.

García had opened the scoring for the hosts with a header in the sixth minute. Pedri González equalized in the 48th with a strike from inside the area after the Osasuna defense failed to fully clear a cross by Jordi Alba, and substitute Raphinha netted the winner in the 85th with a header after a long cross by Frenkie de Jong. The Brazilian forward had entered the game seven minutes earlier.

A group of radical Barcelona fans attacked Osasuna supporters at a bar before the match in Pamplona.

The Barcelona fans reportedly used knives and sticks in the attack, leaving a few Osasuna supporters with minor injuries.

There were no reports of arrests.

Both clubs condemned the incident.

Athletic Bilbao defeated Valladolid 3-0 at home to move to third place with its second win in three matches.

Elche's struggles as the only team without a league win continued with a 2-1 home loss to Girona. (AP)