Raphinha hat-trick keeps Barcelona perfect after 7-2 win

Barcelona take control early

Barcelona beat Racing Santander 7-2 at Camp Nou on Wednesday, September 16, securing a sixth consecutive La Liga win. The result leaves Barcelona first with 18 points from six matches, while Racing remain 10th on seven points.

João Cancelo opened the scoring in the eighth minute, finishing a move assisted by Lamine Yamal. Raphinha then converted a 25th-minute penalty to give Barcelona a 2-0 lead. Racing responded five minutes later through M. Gueye, who scored from A. Villalibre’s assist, but an own goal credited to Villalibre restored Barcelona’s two-goal advantage in the 36th minute.

Raphinha struck again in the 42nd minute, receiving the final pass from Dani Olmo to make it 4-1 before the interval. Yamal had a chance to add another from the spot in first-half stoppage time, but his penalty was missed.

Racing find a response, but Barcelona pull away

The visitors reduced the deficit to three goals when Yassir Zabiri scored in the 65th minute. Barcelona answered almost immediately, with Raphinha completing his hat-trick from another penalty two minutes later.

Gabriel Jesus added a sixth in the 79th minute after an assist from Yamal. Yamal then completed the scoring in the 89th minute, converting a chance created by Karim Adeyemi. The sequence gave Barcelona a decisive response after Racing’s second goal and ended a match in which the hosts maintained their advantage throughout.

Statistics underline Barcelona’s control

Barcelona dominated the ball with 69% possession and completed 646 passes at a 91% accuracy rate, compared with Racing’s 288 passes and 78% accuracy. The hosts also produced 30 total shots, including 23 from inside the box, while Racing managed five shots in total. Barcelona had 18 corners to Racing’s zero.

The scoreline reflected the overall balance, although Racing’s expected-goals figure was 1.98 despite their two goals. Barcelona recorded 6.74 expected goals and forced three goalkeeper saves; Racing’s goalkeeper made no recorded saves. Barcelona committed 10 fouls to Racing’s 13.

Raphinha leads the individual performances

Raphinha was the standout player, receiving a perfect 10.0 rating after scoring three goals in 69 minutes and registering four shots on target. Yamal also made a major contribution with one goal, two assists and three key passes.

The disciplinary incidents were limited but included yellow cards for Pedro Felipe, Yamal, Karim Adeyemi, Zabiri and Cancelo. Barcelona made changes at half-time and in the second half, including the introductions of W. Szczesny, Gavi and M. Bernal, while Racing made three substitutions around the hour mark. Barcelona’s six-match winning run contrasts with Racing’s sequence of draw, loss, win, loss, win and loss in their six most recent matches.