Barcelona continued their remarkable run of high-scoring performances with a commanding 7-2 victory over Racing Santander at Camp Nou on Wednesday night (16 September). The Catalan side dominated the newly promoted La Liga outfit for much of the match, with Brazilian forward Raphinha producing the standout display by scoring a hat-trick.
Barcelona made an aggressive start and quickly put Racing under pressure. Their early dominance was rewarded in the eighth minute when Joao Cancelo opened the scoring with a powerful strike from around 25 yards. The effort gave the home side an early advantage and set the tone for an entertaining night.
Raphinha then doubled Barcelona’s lead from the penalty spot in the 22nd minute. Racing responded eight minutes later, with midfielder Gueye pulling a goal back to make it 2-1. The visitors’ hopes of levelling the contest, however, were short-lived.
In the 36th minute, Asier Villalibre turned the ball into his own net, restoring Barcelona’s two-goal cushion. The hosts remained firmly in control and added another before the interval. Raphinha scored his second of the night in the 42nd minute after receiving a pass from Dani Olmo, sending Barcelona into half-time with a 4-1 lead.
Racing managed to reduce the deficit again in the 65th minute when Yassir Jabiri found the net to make it 4-2. Barcelona immediately reasserted their authority, though. Just two minutes later, Raphinha converted another penalty to complete his hat-trick and put the hosts 5-2 ahead.
The goal also underlined the Brazilian’s prolific start to the campaign. It was his 11th goal in seven matches across all competitions this season, highlighting his growing influence in Barcelona’s attack.
Lamine Yamal thought he had added another goal in the 72nd minute after beating several defenders inside the penalty area and finding the net. The effort was ruled out for offside, but the young forward continued to threaten Racing’s defence.
Barcelona eventually extended their advantage in the 79th minute through Gabriel Jesus, who came on as Raphinha’s replacement. The Brazilian forward opened his La Liga account after receiving Yamal’s through ball inside the penalty area. He needed just one touch before producing a curling finish towards the far post, giving the goalkeeper little chance.
Yamal was finally rewarded for his persistence in the 89th minute. After Adeyemi carried the ball forward at pace from midfield and cut it back from inside the penalty area, Yamal struck a powerful shot into the net to complete Barcelona’s seventh goal.
The goal extended Yamal’s scoring run to four consecutive La Liga matches and five in all competitions. He now has seven league goals this season, adding another significant attacking threat to a Barcelona side already producing impressive numbers.
Barcelona’s latest victory also strengthened their remarkable scoring record at the start of the campaign. They have played seven matches so far and have scored at least five goals in five of them. Their total stands at 33 goals, while they have conceded only seven.
In the La Liga standings, Barcelona have won all six of their league matches and moved to 18 points. Real Madrid are three points behind them in second place. Racing Santander, meanwhile, suffered their third defeat of the league campaign and remain on seven points in 10th position.
With Raphinha in prolific form and Yamal continuing to score regularly, Barcelona’s attacking output has become one of the defining features of their early-season campaign. Their 7-2 victory over Racing provided another clear example of the attacking intensity that has helped them establish an unbeaten league start.
