Raphinha's hat-trick keeps Barcelona's perfect record alive in Sevilla
FC Barcelona won 3:1 away at Sevilla in La Liga's matchday 7, with Raphinha scoring all three goals to reach 12 for the season. Barcelona remain unbeaten with 21 points, top of the table.
Barcelona keeps perfect record
On Saturday, September 19, FC Barcelona won 3:1 (1:1 at halftime) away at Sevilla in matchday 7 of La Liga, extending their perfect start to the season — seven wins in seven games and 21 points at the top of the table. The match's standout performer was Brazilian forward Raphinha, who scored all three Barcelona goals (22nd, 52nd and 69th minutes) and now has 12 league goals after seven rounds.
How the match unfolded
Sevilla, who had gone into the game in fifth place and unbeaten in their previous three matches, started strongly and took the lead in the 19th minute when Youssouf Fofana headed in a cross from Felix Correia past goalkeeper Dominik Livaković, who started in place of the injured Joan Garcia (according to Przegląd Sportowy), with Wojciech Szczęsny left on the bench. The lead lasted only about three minutes before Raphinha beat his marker and equalized to make it 1:1. In the second half Barcelona pushed harder: Lamine Yamal set up Raphinha's second goal, and in the 69th minute the Brazilian completed his hat-trick with another assist from Yamal, chipping the ball over the goalkeeper. According to SPORT1, Raphinha had also hit the post from a corner shortly before his third goal, in the 64th minute. Barcelona also suffered an injury blow in the second half — according to Interia, defender Andreas Christensen, reportedly with a possible biceps femoris issue, was replaced by Gerard Martin. Raphinha himself was substituted in the 77th minute, making way for German international Karim Adeyemi.
Context and what's next
Barcelona, coached by German manager Hansi Flick, had scored 28 goals in their first six league games this season, beating Elche, Athletic Bilbao, Rayo Vallecano, Valencia, Levante and Racing Santander (7:2) — a match in which Raphinha also scored a hat-trick, just three days before the Sevilla game. Sevilla remain on 13 points after the defeat. Statistics show Barcelona's dominance: according to Interia, possession was roughly 70:30 in the visitors' favor, with 24 shots to Sevilla's 7. After the international break, Sevilla travel to Levante while Barcelona host Getafe. Also on Sunday's schedule at 16:15 is the Madrid derby, with Real Madrid (15 points) facing city rivals Atlético Madrid (13 points).
