Published: 10:10, September 1, 2024
Raphinha hat-trick guides Barcelona to 7-0 demolition of Valladolid
By Reuters
Barcelona's Spanish forward #20 Daniel Olmo kicks the ball during the Spanish league football match between FC Barcelona and Real Valladolid FC at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Barcelona on Aug 31, 2024. (PHOTO / AFP)

BARCELONA - Forward Raphinha scored the first hat-trick of his career and delivered two assists to guide an imperious Barcelona to a 7-0 rout of Real Valladolid in La Liga on Saturday.

Barcelona will go to the international break on top of the standings on a perfect 12 points from four games, five ahead of second-placed Villarreal and seven clear of bitter rivals Real Madrid in fourth, both of whom have a game in hand.

READ MORE: Haaland hat-trick earns Man City 3-1 win at West Ham

Facing a Valladolid who gave champions Real Madrid a tough game last weekend, Barcelona were ruthless and showed from the start why they have been Spain's most impressive side this season under new manager Hansi Flick.

Barcelona's Brazilian forward #11 Raphinha jumps over Real Valladolid's Estonian goalkeeper #13 Karl Jakob Hein during the Spanish league football match between FC Barcelona and Real Valladolid FC at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Barcelona on Aug 31, 2024. (PHOTO / AFP)

Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski gave the host a two-goal lead within four minutes with similar efforts from counter-attacks, controlling long balls by Pau Cubarsi and Lamine Yamal before tidy finishes past the goalkeeper.

READ MORE: Inter cruise past Atalanta 4-0 with Thuram double

Jules Kounde extended the lead striking a rebound from a corner in added time before the break and, after Lewandowski hit the post, Raphinha scored twice from close range to extend Barca's lead.

READ MORE: Real Madrid salvage 1-1 draw at lowly Las Palmas

The Brazil international continued his masterclass with an assist to new signing Dani Olmo who, after hitting the post twice and missing an absolute sitter from close-range, finally managed to score in the 82nd minute in his first start for Barca.

Substitute Ferran Torres completed the drubbing from another assist by Raphinha who is second in the LaLiga top-scorer race with three goals, one behind Lewandowski.