Raphinha smashes hat-trick as Barcelona crush Sevilla

By Tolulope Oke

Barcelona winger Raphinha stole the show with a hat-trick as Barcelona crushed Sevilla 5-2 on Sunday to reclaim a four-point lead at the top of La Liga.

The Spanish champions responded emphatically after Real Madrid had narrowed the gap with a win over Elche, producing a dominant display at the partially reopened Camp Nou in front of around 56,000 fans.

Raphinha opened the scoring in the ninth minute from the penalty spot after Sevilla’s Djibril Sow fouled full-back Joao Cancelo in the box.

The Brazilian winger converted another penalty shortly after, this time after a handball by Jose Angel Carmona, sending Sevilla goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos the wrong way.

Barcelona extended their lead in the 38th minute when Dani Olmo finished clinically from a deflected cross by Marc Bernal. Sevilla pulled one back before halftime through Juanlu Sanchez’s cross, which found Oso unmarked at the back post.

Raphinha completed his hat-trick early in the second half with a heavily deflected strike, giving Barcelona a comfortable cushion. Later, Cancelo added his name to the scoresheet with a composed finish through Vlachodimos’s legs, rounding off an impressive attacking display.

Sevilla pulled another goal in stoppage time when Sow headed home a cross from Oso, but it was merely a consolation as Barcelona’s focus shifted to their upcoming UEFA Champions League clash against Newcastle United on Wednesday.

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick also introduced 21-year-old midfielder Gavi for the final 10 minutes, marking his first appearance since August following a severe knee injury.