La Liga: Real Mallorca 0-1 Barcelona
Barcelona Luuk de Jong /AP

Barcelona kicked off the New Year with a crucial 1-0 win away to Mallorca on Sunday night to finish the weekend in fifth place in the La Liga table.

Iran PressEurope: Barcelona striker Luuk de Jong's first-half header and a stunning stoppage-time save by Marc-Andre ter Stegen secured a 1-0 win at Mallorca on Sunday in a match where the Catalans were missing 14 players due to COVID-19, injuries, and suspensions.

It was vindication time for striker De Jong after several media reports that Barca want to move him on this month.

The Dutchman was Barca's best player on Sunday as he also hit the post twice in the first half, once with a bicycle kick.

Barca climbed two places to fifth on 31 points from 19 matches, one point behind Atletico Madrid in fourth and 15 adrift of leaders Real Madrid who have played a game more.

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