Raphinha scored three goals as Barcelona produced a dominant 7-2 victory over Racing Santander on Wednesday to maintain their perfect La Liga record.
The league leaders overwhelmed the promoted side at Camp Nou and moved three points clear of Real Madrid.
Joao Cancelo, Gabriel Jesus and Lamine Yamal also found the net for Barcelona. The Catalan side has now scored 33 goals in seven matches across all competitions.
Raphinha said he remained focused on improving his performances despite his impressive scoring form.
“I’ll never tell you I’m at my best level,” he said. “I always try to improve as much as I can and give more to the team.”
Barcelona Race Into Early Lead
Barcelona started at a furious pace despite lightning over Camp Nou.
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Cancelo opened the scoring in the eighth minute. The defender unleashed a powerful long-range effort that struck the underside of the crossbar before going in.
Dani Olmo came close twice before Raphinha won a penalty. Pedro Felipe brought down the Brazilian, who calmly sent the spot-kick into the bottom-right corner.
Racing Santander responded through Maguette Gueye. He powered through the Barcelona defence before beating goalkeeper Joan Garcia.
The visitors’ hopes lasted only briefly.
Cancelo created Barcelona’s third with another long-range attempt. The ball took a deflection off Asier Villalibre and found the net.
Raphinha then scored his second after Olmo released him through on goal.
Lamine Yamal missed a chance to add another before half-time. Racing goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala saved his penalty after Karim Adeyemi was brought down inside the box.
Raphinha Completes Hat-Trick
Wojciech Szczesny replaced Garcia at the break after the Barcelona goalkeeper appeared to injure himself while slipping on the wet pitch.
Yamal hit the post soon after the restart. He later had another goal ruled out for offside.
Racing pulled another goal back when Yassir Zabiri capitalised on an error from Szczesny. The goalkeeper attempted to dribble out but lost possession, allowing Zabiri to score.
Barcelona responded almost immediately.
Adeyemi earned another penalty, and Raphinha converted to complete his hat-trick. The goal took his league tally to nine and extended his lead as La Liga’s top scorer.
Barcelona Add Two More
Raphinha then made way for fellow Brazilian Gabriel Jesus.
Jesus scored Barcelona’s sixth with a sharp finish into the top corner after receiving the ball from Yamal.
The teenager finally got his name on the scoresheet shortly afterwards.
Adeyemi raced down the left and supplied Yamal, who completed Barcelona’s seventh and final goal.
Racing midfielder Aaron Martin acknowledged the gap between the two sides after the heavy defeat.
“We know the level they have,” he said. “We have to continue and forget about this game.”
