Barcelona maintained their perfect start to the LaLiga season with a 3-1 victory at Sevilla on Saturday as captain Raphinha scored a superb hat-trick.
Sevilla, who were fifth, gave Hansi Flick’s side their biggest test of the season at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan and took the lead in the 19th minute when Youssouf Fofana headed in Felix Correia’s cross past debutant keeper Dominik Livakovic, who was deputising for injured Joan Garcia.
Raphinha equalised three minutes later after running onto Andreas Christensen’s pass and finishing low past Odysseas Vlachodimos.
The Brazilian then put Barca ahead in the 52nd minute, heading in a Lamine Yamal cross, and completed his hat-trick in the 69th minute with another Yamal assist, chipping over Vlachodimos.
It was Raphinha’s second consecutive hat-trick and took him to 12 goals in seven league games — La Liga’s top scorer. He has 14 goals in all competitions this season.
Barcelona made it seven wins from seven and moved provisionally six points clear of second-placed Real Madrid, who play Atletico Madrid in the derby on Sunday. Hansi Flick praised him afterwards: “We know the quality of Raphinha and we’re very happy about him, he gives us a lot.”
Sporting director Deco also revealed before the game that Raphinha has agreed to extend his stay at Barcelona until 2030.
