Sunday, 01 September 2024 03:52

Raphinha Bags Hat-Trick As Barcelona Trounce Valladolid 7-0

Brazil winger Raphinha scored a hat-trick as Barcelona thrashed Real Valladolid 7-0 on Saturday to make it four wins from four in La Liga under new coach Hansi Flick.

While bitter rivals Real Madrid have stumbled early following the much-trumpeted arrival of Kylian Mbappe, Barcelona are off to a flying start despite their continued financial difficulties.

Raphinha opened the scoring at the Olympic Stadium on 20 minutes as he chested down a pass from Pau Cubarsi and flicked elegantly into the far corner with the outside of his left boot.

Barcelona’s French defender #23 Jules Kounde (C) celebrates celebrates scoring his team’s third goal against Real Valladolid FC at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Barcelona on August 31, 2024. (Photo by MANU QUINTERO / AFP)

Robert Lewandowski soon doubled the lead when he latched onto a ball through from Lamine Yamal and squeezed a shot past Valladolid goalkeeper Karl Hein, on loan from Arsenal.

 

Jules Kounde made it three before half-time when a corner dropped to the France defender inside the area and he stabbed into the top corner while off-balance.

Raphinha had a simple tap-in from close range just past the hour, with Lewandowski and Yamal involved before the ball broke kindly for the Brazilian.

He completed his treble on 72 minutes following a brilliant burst forward from Yamal, who then slid through a delightful pass for Raphinha to stroke home.

Barcelona’s Brazilian forward #11 Raphinha scores a goal in spite of Real Valladolid’s Estonian goalkeeper #13 during the Spanish league football match between FC Barcelona and Real Valladolid FC at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Barcelona on August 31, 2024. (Photo by MANU QUINTERO / AFP)

Dani Olmo, who got the winner midweek at Rayo Vallecano, on his debut, struck with his final touch as he danced past a series of defenders and rolled in Barcelona’s sixth.

Raphinha rounded off a glittering performance with the assist for Ferran Torres as Barcelona hit a seventh, fizzing in a cross from the left for the substitute to steer home in clinical fashion.



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