Robert Lewandowski came closest to opening the scoring in the early stages, but his fierce, rising drive flashed past the upright.
Dani Olmo’s movement and industry for the visitors caused problems as Osasuna toiled in front of their own fans, with Ante Budimir’s two half-chances as good as it got for Los Rojillos in the opening 20 minutes.
Javi Galan’s header in front of his own goal was enough to stop Eric García from heading home, and in the very next attack, Sergio Herrera got down low to smother Roony Bardghji’s long-range daisy cutter.
Despite both sides displaying a front-foot approach as the game reached the half-hour mark, there was little in the way of genuine goalscoring chances.
Barca built the better attacks, but their final ball was consistently lacking, and only the width of the post stopped Budimir from giving Osasuna the lead after stabbing goalwards at the end of a weaving run from halfway. Joao Cancelo’s lazy ball right on half-time was symptomatic of the visitors’ laissez-faire attitude, and was the last action of a goalless first half.
Quite how Olmo put the ball over the bar from a few yards out just after the break only he will know. There was now a fair bit more urgency in Barça’s passing, and they were much more expansive as they worked their hosts from left to right.
Only a finish was missing as the visitors dominated possession with 73.2% of the ball in the 15 minutes directly after half-time, whilst only Joan García’s outstretched palm stopped Osasuna namesake, Ruben, from curling his side ahead.
As the game entered its final stages, it was all hands on deck for the hosts, and with 10 minutes to play, Marcus Rashford’s pinpoint cross saw Lewandowski rise and power home a typical striker’s header to give Barca a vital lead.
Ferran Torres’ well-placed 86th-minute second gave the visitors some breathing space, though the deficit was quickly reduced when Raul García outjumped the Barca defence to hammer home a header of his own.
Ultimately, it was no more than a consolation, meaning Osasuna have won just two of their last nine league games (D3, L4), whilst Barca, temporarily at least, move 14 points clear of Real Madrid at the top of the table.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Ante Budimir (Osasuna)