LA LIGA: RAPHINHA HAT-TRICK SEALS HUGE 7-2 WIN FOR BARCELONA AGAINST RACING SANTANDER
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By ‘Sefiu Ajape
Sure, gee. I’ll keep all the quoted wording intact while making the report smoother, tighter and more publication-ready.
Raphinha’s hat-trick helped Barcelona maintain their perfect start to the LaLiga season as they thrashed Racing Santander 7-2 at Camp Nou on Wednesday.
Hansi Flick’s defending champions made it six consecutive league victories, with two stunning finishes from Joao Cancelo overshadowed by Raphinha’s treble, which included two penalties.
Cancelo opened the scoring in the eighth minute with a spectacular strike. The full-back cut inside after receiving Lamine Yamal’s diagonal pass before curling a superb 20-yard effort past Julen Agirrezabala, with the ball kissing the crossbar on its way in.
Karim Adeyemi missed two chances to double Barcelona’s advantage before Raphinha made it 2-0 in the 25th minute. The Brazilian won a penalty and calmly sent his effort into the bottom-right corner after Pedro Felipe fouled him.
Racing pulled one back five minutes later when Maguette Gueye lifted the ball over Joan Garcia, but Cancelo restored Barcelona’s two-goal advantage with another stunning long-range effort into the top-left corner.
Raphinha grabbed his second after controlling Dani Olmo’s clever pass and firing a low effort past Agirrezabala to his left.
The Brazilian then showed his unselfish side by allowing Yamal to take the next penalty after Felipe brought down Adeyemi.
However, Yamal was denied by Agirrezabala when he aimed for the bottom-right corner just before half-time. The Spain winger was then denied by the post after the restart.
Raphinha completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot, sending the ball into the same corner as his first spot-kick after Iker Luque fouled Adeyemi.
Racing had reduced the deficit through Yassir Zabiri, who capitalised on a mistake in possession by half-time substitute Wojciech Szczesny, but Raphinha restored Barcelona’s advantage just two minutes later.
Yamal saw another effort ruled out for offside before setting up Gabriel Jesus, who curled the ball into the top-right corner with 11 minutes remaining.
Yamal finally got his deserved goal in the 89th minute when Adeyemi delayed his cutback before finding the Spain international, who finished first time to cap another impressive display from the champions.
Perfect six for blistering Barca
The victory continues a remarkable start for Barcelona, who have now won their opening six LaLiga matches for the sixth time this century.
On four of the previous five occasions they began a LaLiga campaign with six straight wins, Barcelona went on to win the title. The only exception was the 2013-14 season, when they finished second.
Flick’s side have also been prolific in front of goal, scoring a competition-leading 28 goals — 11 more than second-placed Real Madrid, who have 17.
Raphinha has been central to that attacking success after answering Flick’s call to operate as a false nine. The Brazilian now has nine goals and three assists in six league appearances this season.
Cancelo also produced two spectacular goals, with his long-range efforts carrying a combined expected goals (xG) value of just 0.047, underlining the quality of both finishes.
Despite the remarkable nature of Cancelo’s goals, Barcelona’s victory was reflected in the underlying numbers. They accumulated a massive 6.65 expected goals (xG), compared with Racing’s 1.86.
Flick will also have been pleased to see Yamal finally get on the scoresheet. The Spain international has now scored in four consecutive LaLiga games, with seven goals in total, marking the first time in his career he has achieved such a run.
There were few positives for Racing, although Zabiri’s form remains encouraging. He now has six goals in as many LaLiga games, and his performances could prove crucial if the club are to avoid an immediate return to the Segunda Division.
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