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Monday, February 21, 2022

La Liga: Aubameyang shoots Barcelona back into top four

Barcelona are now fourth on the log with 42 points from 24 games while Valencia are 12th, ten points above the relegation zone.

• February 20, 2022
Aubameyang
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored twice in a scintillating all-round display against Valencia at the Mestalla on Sunday afternoon to help Barcelona climb back into Champions League qualification places in La Liga for the first time since October 2021.

Barcelona hadn’t scored four goals in an away game for over a year but did so against Jose Bordalas’ men to cap off what has been a positive run in La Liga in recent weeks.

Aubameyang opened his Barcelona account in the 23rd minute, sending the ball into the top corner of the Valencia goal after being set up by Jordi Alba. 

A little after the hour mark, Ousmane Dembele sent in a pinpoint cross to find Frenkie de Jong, who duly obliged by slipping the ball into the net past Mamardashvili in the Valencia goal. 

Moments later, Gavi found Aubameyang again in the box and the Gabonese duly made it 3-0 with his second of the afternoon.

Valencia would have two goals chalked off by the VAR, with Jose Luis Gaya deemed offside for what would have been a Marc-andre Ter Stegen own goal and then Carlos Soler also left disappointed as his goal was ruled out due to the ball deemed to have gone out of play moments before.

Valencia started strongly in the second half with Carlos Soler pulling a goal back but youngster Pedri Gonzalez scored a stunner from long rage to seal a comfortable victory for Barcelona and Xavi Hernandez.

Barcelona are now fourth on the log with 42 points from 24 games while Valencia are 12th, ten points above the relegation zone.

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