The Brazilian winger’s treble, coupled with goals from Olmo and Cancelo, keeps the Catalans four points clear at the summit ahead of a crucial Champions League tie.
BARCELONA: Raphinha delivered a stunning hat-trick as Barcelona overwhelmed Sevilla 5-2 on Sunday to re-establish their four-point cushion at the top of the La Liga table.
Responding perfectly to Real Madrid’s win the previous day, the league leaders delivered a dominant attacking display in the spring sunshine at a partially reopened Camp Nou. Dani Olmo and Joao Cancelo added their names to the scoresheet for Hansi Flick’s side, who now turn their attention to a pivotal Champions League encounter with Newcastle United on Wednesday.
The victory was set against a significant backdrop off the pitch, with club members heading to the polls for presidential elections, resulting in Joan Laporta being re-elected for another five-year term.
First-Half Onslaught from the Spot
Flick opted to rest teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, handing young Xavi Espart his first start at right-back. The hosts were gifted a dream start from the penalty spot inside the first nine minutes. Djibril Sow’s clumsy challenge on the lively Joao Cancelo gave the referee an easy decision, and Raphinha coolly chipped home the opener.
Just minutes later, a bizarre incident handed Barcelona another penalty. Cancelo attempted to dribble past Jose Angel Carmona, who was on the ground and clearly handled the ball. Raphinha stepped up again, this time drilling the ball low to his left, beyond the reach of goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos.
The two-goal cushion became three just before half-time. A deflected cross from Marc Bernal found its way to Dani Olmo, who produced a clinical finish to make it 3-0. Sevilla managed to pull one back on the stroke of half-time when Juanlu Sanchez burst past Cancelo and squared for Oso to tap in unmarked at the back post.
Second-Half Rout and a Hero’s Return
Any hope of a Sevilla comeback was extinguished early in the second half when Raphinha completed his treble. His shot from distance took a heavy deflection, wrong-footing Vlachodimos and sailing into the net. The Brazilian later dedicated his performance to the fans, telling DAZN: “I love this club… the way to respond from the love I receive from the fans is by scoring goals and kissing the badge.”
Cancelo then capped his own impressive display by driving into the box and slotting the ball through the goalkeeper’s legs to make it 5-1.
The final ten minutes provided a heartwarming moment for the home crowd as midfielder Gavi made his long-awaited return from a severe knee injury that had kept him sidelined since August. The 21-year-old, who also missed most of the 2023/24 season, was given the captain’s armband by Ronald Araujo upon his introduction.
“It has been very tough, if I’m honest,” Gavi admitted. “This time was much harder than the last time… But this feeling (to be back at) Camp Nou, with my people, with the fans and all my team-mates is unique.”
Sevilla’s Sow grabbed a late consolation with a header in stoppage time, but the damage was long done.
Flick, while pleased with the win, was already looking ahead. “We have to be focused for the next game because Newcastle is a great team,” he cautioned. “I’m not negative, I just think about what can be better.”
The result keeps Barcelona firmly in the driver’s seat in the title race with a game in hand played, while Sevilla remain 14th in the standings.
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