Barcelona 5-2 Rayo: Raphinha and Yamal score twice as the defence adds some chaos

Barcelona scored five goals and claimed their third consecutive league victory. The attack completed its assignment in impressive fashion. The defence also contributed to the entertainment, although nobody had specifically asked it to.

Raphinha and Lamine Yamal scored twice each, while Florian Lejeune added an own goal. Sergio Camello found the net twice for Rayo Vallecano.

FC Barcelona 5-2 Rayo Vallecano

Goals: Raphinha 19’, 71’, Lamine Yamal 21’, 90’, Lejeune 51’ (own goal) – Camello 12’, 59’

RAYO STARTED WITHOUT FEAR

Hansi Flick set up his team without a traditional centre-forward. Raphinha started through the middle, Anthony Gordon played on the left, Lamine Yamal operated from the right and Dani Olmo worked behind them.

Barcelona controlled possession from the opening minutes, but Rayo struck first. Camello took his chance in the 12th minute and silenced Spotify Camp Nou. The visitors had not travelled merely to take pictures of the stadium and, for a few minutes, could genuinely believe they were about to trouble Barcelona again.

Their lead did not last long. Raphinha equalised in the 19th minute before Yamal fired a left-footed shot into the top corner two minutes later. Barcelona needed just nine minutes to turn a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 advantage.

YAMAL REACHES 50

Yamal’s first goal carried additional significance. It was his 50th for Barcelona’s senior team.

According to Opta, the 19-year-old became the youngest player from Europe’s five major leagues to reach that landmark since the company began tracking the record in the 2014-15 season. Statistician MisterChip also reported that no player in the history of Spanish professional football had reached 50 club goals at a younger age.

Yamal did not stop at the milestone. He scored again in the 90th minute to complete the victory. Two goals, an impressive record and the full match on the pitch. This time there was no reason to analyse his expression after being substituted.

RAYO RETURNED, BUT ONLY BRIEFLY

Barcelona extended their advantage shortly after half-time. Lejeune diverted the ball into his own net in the 51st minute to make it 3-1.

The contest was not over. Eight minutes later, Camello punished the hosts again and completed his brace. Rayo produced only seven shots and 0.82 expected goals during the entire match, yet still managed to beat Joan García twice. Flick is unlikely to include that spell in a presentation titled “complete control”.

The uncertainty lasted until the 71st minute, when Raphinha scored his second goal and restored Barcelona’s two-goal cushion. Yamal then made it 5-2 just before the end of normal time.

THE ATTACK DID MORE THAN ENOUGH

Barcelona recorded 70 per cent possession, attempted 23 shots to Rayo’s seven and registered 54 touches inside the opposition penalty area. The hosts produced 2.65 expected goals, meaning their five-goal return comfortably exceeded the quality of the chances they created.

Flick’s team have started the season with three victories. They opened with a 5-0 win over Elche, defeated Athletic Club 2-0 and have now added another five goals against Rayo. Barcelona have a perfect nine points from their opening three matches.

Raphinha and Yamal were the biggest winners of the evening. Both scored twice and demonstrated that an attack without a traditional number nine does not necessarily have to be an attack without goals.

The final score looks emphatic, and Barcelona’s attacking display deserved it. The two goals conceded were another reminder that this team can occasionally provide entertainment for its opponents as well. Fortunately, the hosts had far more to offer at the other end.