Raphinha Leads Barcelona to Victory with Hat-Trick Against Valladolid in La Liga

Barcelona winger Raphinha had a phenomenal performance, scoring a hat-trick in a dominant 7-0 victory over Real Valladolid on Saturday under new coach Hansi Flick. Despite their ongoing financial challenges and key absences such as Frenkie de Jong, Gavi, and Ronald Araujo, Barcelona has managed to secure four consecutive wins in La Liga. In contrast, rivals Real Madrid have struggled early on despite the high-profile signing of Kylian Mbappe. Barcelona now sits comfortably at the top of the table with a perfect 12 points, leaving Madrid trailing by seven points heading into the international break.

"We're growing as a team. I think it's a very good start to the season," said Barcelona captain Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

"I'm proud of how things are going... hopefully we can continue like that in the next weeks."

Barcelona's best start to a La Liga campaign came in 2013-14 when they started the season with eight straight wins, although they were pipped to the title that year by Atletico Madrid.

Raphinha opened the scoring for Barcelona 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.

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.

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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.

Dani Olmo, who got the winner midweek at Rayo Vallecano, on his debut, struck with his final touch after twice hitting the post and having a goal disallowed for offside.

The Spain international danced past a series of defenders and rolled in Barcelona's sixth. He missed Barcelona's first two games this term with the club unable to register him as they struggled to meet La Liga's strict financial rules.

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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.

Atletico snatched a 1-0 victory away to Athletic Bilbao as Angel Correa scored in stoppage time to send Diego Simeone's side up to second, four points adrift of Barcelona.

Espanyol came from behind to win 2-1 at home to Rayo Vallecano with Tottenham loanee Alejo Veliz striking in the sixth minute of added time.

Ayoze Perez's equaliser ensured Villarreal remained unbeaten, but they had to settle for a 1-1 draw against a Valencia side that had lost each of their first three games.

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Mallorca picked up their first win of the season by beating Leganes 1-0.

(This story has not been edited by staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)