Raphinha with a hat-trick in Seville continued Barcelona's strong start

Barcelona extended their perfect start to the LaLiga season with a 3-1 victory over Sevilla, fueled by a stunning hat-trick from Raphinha. The match, played at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium in Seville on September 19, 2026, saw the Catalan giants overcome a resilient Sevilla side to maintain their 100% record in the competition. Raphinha, already LaLiga’s top scorer with 12 goals in seven matches, added three more to his tally, ensuring his influence continues to grow. Sevilla began the contest strongly, taking the lead in the 19th minute through Youssouf Fofana. The French forward nodded in a cross from Felix Correia, who evaded Eric Garcia to deliver the ball into the box. However, Barcelona quickly responded, with Raphinha equalizing just four minutes later. The Brazilian, playing out of position as a central striker, showcased his composure and skill, finishing calmly after receiving a pass from Andreas Christensen. His performance continued in the second half, as he scored twice more to secure the win. Raphinha’s first goal came in the 22nd minute, following a well-worked move involving Lamine Yamal. The teenage star created space for the Brazilian, who then finished with a low strike. In the 52nd minute, Yamal again played a pivotal role, delivering a cross that allowed Raphinha to head home his second goal. The decisive moment arrived in the 69th minute, when Yamal set up Raphinha once more, enabling the Brazilian to slot the ball past Sevilla’s goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos for his third goal of the game. Despite the defeat, Sevilla remained competitive throughout. Their early dominance forced Barcelona into defensive mode, though the hosts struggled to capitalize on their opportunities. Goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic, making his debut for Barcelona due to an injury to Joan Garcia, made several crucial saves, including denying a curled shot from Yamal in the 8th minute. However, Barcelona’s resilience proved key, particularly in the second half, when they regained control of the match. The result sees Barcelona move six points clear of Real Madrid, who have a game in hand and face Atletico Madrid in a derby on Sunday. With seven wins from eight games, the Catalan side continue to dominate the table, maintaining their unbeaten run across all competitions. Manager Hansi Flick praised his players’ response after trailing, highlighting their ability to adapt and find solutions under pressure. In other LaLiga fixtures, Celta Vigo recorded a dominant 5-0 victory over Racing Santander, while Osasuna and Rayo Vallecano drew 1-1. Athletic Bilbao and Alaves played out a goalless draw, and Valencia fell to Real Sociedad. The standings remain unchanged at the top, with Barcelona leading the pack. The match also highlighted the growing importance of Raphinha to Barcelona’s success. The Brazilian, signed from Leeds United, has adapted swiftly to his new environment, often playing as a false nine. His ability to create and score goals has become vital to Flick’s attacking strategy. Ahead of the game, Barcelona’s sporting director Deco confirmed that Raphinha had agreed to extend his contract with the club until 2030, further solidifying his future in Catalonia. As the season progresses, Barcelona’s focus shifts to the upcoming Madrid derby, set for Sunday at the Santiago Bernabeu. With Real Madrid still in pursuit, the Catalan giants will look to maintain their momentum and build on their impressive start to the campaign.