Raphinha’s perfect hat-trick fires Barcelona past Sevilla
Raphinha continued his extraordinary start to the season with a perfect hat-trick as Barcelona came from behind to beat Sevilla 3-1 at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium and extend their lead at the top of LaLiga.
The Brazilian became the first Barcelona player in 11 years to score a perfect league hat-trick — with goals from his right foot, head and left foot — while Lamine Yamal supplied two assists in another decisive performance. The victory was Barcelona’s seventh consecutive league win and moved Hansi Flick’s side six points clear at the summit.
Match highlight
Yamal had arrived in Seville full of confidence after creating three goals in Barcelona’s 7-2 victory over Racing de Santander. He nearly gave the visitors an early lead with a superb curling strike from distance, but his effort crashed against the post.
Sevilla responded by showing precisely why this was considered Barcelona’s toughest league assignment of the season to date.
Around 10 minutes later, Felix Correia delivered a dangerous lofted cross into the box, where Youssouf Fofana rose to head past LaLiga debutant Dominik Livakovic from close range. It was Fofana’s first goal for the Andalusian club and sent the home supporters into raptures.
Barcelona’s response was immediate. Raphinha, once again operating effectively through the middle, made an intelligent run to collect Andreas Christensen’s pass. He brought the ball under control with his right foot before producing a composed finish past the goalkeeper. The goal was his 10th in only seven league appearances.
Level at the interval, Barcelona emerged with greater authority after the restart.
Yamal had endured taunts from the Sevilla crowd following his first-half miss, but he responded with a moment of quality. Controlling an aerial ball, the 19-year-old evaded two defenders before delivering a precise pass for Raphinha to head home his second.
Raphinha almost completed his treble moments later when his ambitious attempt from a corner struck the post. However, the third goal felt inevitable. Shortly before the 70th minute, Yamal threaded another outstanding pass through the Sevilla defence, and Raphinha lifted a delicate left-footed finish over the advancing Odysseas Vlachodimos.
His 14th goal in all competitions sealed another important win for Barcelona, who avoided the prospect of consecutive away league defeats for the first time since 2007. Sevilla were ultimately overwhelmed by Barcelona’s attacking quality, though they will take some comfort from remaining fifth in the table heading into the international break.
