Barcelona and Atletico Madrid claim big La Liga wins as Raphinha hits hat-trick

Barcelona maintained their perfect start to the La Liga season with a 7-2 victory over Racing Santander, while Atletico Madrid moved up to third after defeating Osasuna 4-0.

Raphinha leads Barcelona rout

Raphinha scored three times as Barcelona continued their remarkable scoring run at Camp Nou, with Joao Cancelo also finding the net twice.

Barcelona went ahead after seven minutes when Cancelo sent a superb long-range effort beyond Racing goalkeeper Asier Villalibre, following a pass from Lamine Yamal.

Raphinha made it 2-0 from the penalty spot in the 25th minute after being brought down from behind inside the area. Racing responded five minutes later, Manguette Gueye firing a low shot into the bottom-left corner from inside the box.

Cancelo restored Barcelona’s two-goal advantage in the 36th minute with another powerful strike, which took a deflection off Villalibre before going in.

Raphinha added his second before half-time, finishing neatly from inside the area after being set up by Dani Olmo. Yamal then missed a penalty in first-half stoppage time.

Racing remained competitive after the interval and reduced the deficit when Yassir Zabiri converted after substitute goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny made an error.

Barcelona were awarded another penalty two minutes later, allowing captain Raphinha to complete his hat-trick and put the hosts 5-2 ahead.

Substitute Gabriel Jesus scored the sixth in the 79th minute before Yamal completed the scoring 10 minutes later.

“We played well and the result is top,” said Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick.

“I like the team’s bravery, and that we’ve stayed focused. When we’re less [brave], the opposition creates danger and scores goals. We need to change that a bit and also learn from it.”

The victory made Flick’s side the first Barcelona team to win their opening seven La Liga matches.

Atletico move into third

Atletico Madrid produced a commanding display to beat Osasuna 4-0 at Riyadh Air Metropolitano and climb to third in the table.

Jonathan David opened the scoring in the 24th minute with his first goal for the club after Atletico had dominated the early stages.

Lee Kang-in, another new signing, doubled the lead nine minutes into the second half, sliding in a low finish from a Jonathan David pass.

Robin Le Normand added Atletico’s third with a powerful shot from inside the box in the 63rd minute, registering his first goal of the season.

Alex Baena completed the scoring in the 82nd minute, finishing expertly from 10 metres after being teed up by Johnny Cardoso.

“We were more consistent throughout the match,” said Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone. “We controlled it in the first half even though we weren’t clinical; we were clinical in the second half and maintained control.”

Osasuna drop to 13th.

Sevilla hold on against 10-man Deportivo

Sevilla edged Deportivo La Coruna 1-0 at the Riazor Stadium to move into fourth place.

The visitors controlled the first half after a cautious opening, with Miguel Angel Sierra and Felix Correira going closest for Sevilla as Deportivo managed only one shot.

Sierra put Sevilla ahead seven minutes after the interval, reacting quickest after goalkeeper Leo Roman had made a save.

Deportivo were reduced to 10 men in the 58th minute when Angelino was sent off for a serious foul on Sierra.

The hosts defended resolutely despite the disadvantage but were unable to find an equaliser.