Raphinha scored a hat-trick and Joao Cancelo netted a brace as Barcelona stormed to a 5-2 victory over Racing Santander on Wednesday night at Camp Nou. The win, played in torrential rain, solidifies Barça's position at the top of LaLiga EA Sports FC with a perfect six wins from six matches.
Hans-Dieter Flick's side set out to dominate from the first whistle. Cancelo opened the scoring with a powerful strike from the edge of the box, beating goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala. Raphinha doubled the lead soon after, finishing off a flowing move involving Lamine Yamal. Racing Santander showed resilience, however, with Maguette Gueye pulling a goal back before half-time.
Barça's emphatic reply
The second half began with the same intensity. Cancelo found space on the right flank again to score his second of the night, a moment captured by photographer Pep Morata. "Cancelo celebrates his second goal of the night," Morata noted. Raphinha, named the match's most valuable player, completed his personal haul. He first headed home from a precise cross and then, late on, converted a penalty won after a foul by Pedro Felipe to make it 5-1. Moroccan forward Yassir Zabiri grabbed a late consolation for the visitors in added time.
The hat-trick takes Raphinha's tally to six goals in five appearances this season, making him the team's top scorer. His understanding with Lamine Yamal, who provided an assist, and with Gavi, with whom he celebrated the third goal, was evident throughout. Meanwhile, Cancelo's double from defence shows the attacking versatility Flick demands from his full-backs.
The team has scored 21 goals and conceded just four.
The schedule offers little respite, as Barça travel to face sixth-placed Sevilla next on Saturday, September 19th. A win there would extend a winning run that already includes commanding victories over Feyenoord, Valencia, and Levante. For the latest updates on squad availability ahead of that clash, the injuries report is updated daily. The squad heads into this phase of the campaign in high spirits, with their forwards in lethal form.
First reported at Mundo Deportivo
