Raphinha hat-trick propels Barcelona to 5-2 rout of struggling Sevilla

KATHMANDU: Barcelona climbed closer to the La Liga summit as Raphinha’s brilliant hat-trick powered them to a 5-2 victory over a struggling Sevilla.

The Brazilian forward opened the scoring in the 9th minute from a penalty won after Jibril Sow fouled João Cancelo. Raphinha doubled the lead in the 21st minute, converting another penalty following a handball by José Ángel Carmona, confirmed by VAR.

In the 38th minute, Dani Olmo extended Barcelona’s advantage to 3-0 with a first-time strike from outside the box. Sevilla pulled one back during first-half injury time when Sow’s cushioned volley gave the visitors a lifeline — his first senior goal.

Barcelona, coached by Hans-Dieter Flick, maintained control after halftime. In the 51st minute, Raphinha completed his hat-trick, as his shot deflected off Nemanja Gudelj and into the net. João Cancelo added the fifth goal in the 60th minute. Sevilla’s Jibril Sow netted a late consolation header from Oso’s cross as the match closed.

With this win, Barcelona sit four points ahead of La Liga leaders Real Madrid with 10 games remaining, while Sevilla languish 14th, just five points above the relegation zone.

Raphinha was substituted in the 82nd minute for Gavi, marking his first appearance since August after recovering from a knee injury. Lamín Yamal also featured off the bench. Barcelona now turn their focus to the Champions League, hosting Newcastle United in the second leg of the Round of 16 on Wednesday, after a 1-1 draw in the first leg.