Raphinha scores twice, Yamal also nets twice as Barcelona thrash Alaves and go top

Football, Spain's top division La Liga, Round 11: Barcelona beat Alaves 6-1 at home and regained first place in the table with 30 points. Atletico Madrid are second with 28. The win came after defeats in the Champions League and in El Clasico against Real Madrid.

How the match unfolded

In the eighth minute Pedri stepped up an attack, Fermin Lopez passed to an empty corner, and Raphinha opened the scoring. Soon afterwards Fermin made it 2-0 with a shot from a tight angle. In the 41st minute Fermin won the ball in midfield after a careless play by the visitors and passed to Raphinha, who beat the goalkeeper for a second time. Lamine Yamal then added the fourth goal in first-half stoppage time.

After the break Yamal scored his second, and Antonio Gordon extended the lead to six goals. Mariano Diaz pulled one back for Alaves, making it 6-1.

Raphinha's scoring run

The Brazilian has scored 15 goals in 10 matches this season. His previous best season for Barcelona produced 18 goals in 36 games, so that personal record is within reach. He also leads the league's top scorers' list, ahead of Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe on 11 and Yamal on 10.

What comes next

Barcelona play twice next week. On Tuesday, 3 November, they face Aston Villa in the Champions League, and on Sunday, 8 November, they meet Atletico Madrid in the league. Elsewhere in Round 11, Atletico won 2-0 at Levante and Real Betis beat Malaga 2-1.