Barcelona hit Racing for seven as Raphinha scores a hat-trick

Barcelona beat Racing Santander 7-2 at Camp Nou to make it seven wins from seven at the start of the season. Raphinha scored a hat-trick, Lamine Yamal produced a goal and two assists, while João Cancelo and Gabriel Jesus also found the net. The attack was ruthless enough to make another two conceded goals look like a minor administrative detail.

RAPHINHA PUT BARCELONA IN CONTROL BEFORE HALF-TIME

The hosts needed only eight minutes to break through. Lamine Yamal found João Cancelo, whose powerful strike gave Barcelona the lead. Raphinha doubled the advantage from the penalty spot in the 25th minute after Pedro Felipe was penalised for a foul.

Racing responded through Maguette Gueye five minutes later, with Asier Villalibre supplying the assist. Any hope of a genuine contest disappeared quickly. Villalibre turned the ball into his own net in the 36th minute before Raphinha converted Dani Olmo’s pass to make it 4-1.

Barcelona were awarded another penalty shortly before the interval, but Julen Agirrezabala saved Lamine Yamal’s attempt. Even with that miss, Flick’s side went into the dressing room with four goals and complete control of the game.

SZCZĘSNY’S FIRST APPEARANCE CAME WITH A COSTLY ERROR

Wojciech Szczęsny replaced Joan García at half-time after the starting goalkeeper felt discomfort following a slip. The change was described as precautionary and gave Szczęsny his first appearance of the season.

Racing pulled another goal back in the 65th minute when Yassir Zabiri punished Szczęsny’s mistake in possession. Barcelona answered almost immediately. Iker Luque fouled Karim Adeyemi inside the box and Raphinha converted the resulting penalty to complete his hat-trick.

LAMINE AND JESUS COMPLETED THE ROUT

The scoring did not stop at 5-2. Lamine Yamal released Gabriel Jesus in the 79th minute and the Brazilian finished calmly. Ten minutes later, Adeyemi supplied the pass for Lamine to score Barcelona’s seventh.

Seven consecutive victories represent a perfect opening to the campaign and Barcelona’s attacking numbers are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. Racing still managed to expose defensive lapses twice, however, while Joan García’s condition will need monitoring ahead of the next match. Seven goals can hide plenty, and on this occasion they did exactly that.