Raphinha hat-trick fires Barcelona past Sevilla to keep title charge on track

Raphinha struck a hat-trick as Barcelona powered to a comfortable win over Sevilla, strengthening their grip at the top of La Liga and keeping the pressure on Real Madrid.

The Brazilian winger set the tone early at Spotify Camp Nou, calmly chipping home a penalty in the ninth minute after Joao Cancelo was brought down by Djibril Sow. It was the perfect start for Hansi Flick’s side, who controlled the game from the opening whistle and showed little sign of slowing down.

Raphinha doubled his tally just 12 minutes later from the spot again. This time, the penalty was awarded after a VAR review judged that Jose Angel Carmona had handled the ball while trying to stop Cancelo. Raphinha made no mistake, driving the effort low into the corner to put Barcelona firmly in charge.

Dani Olmo then appeared to put the contest beyond Sevilla before half-time when he finished neatly first time from 16 yards. But the visitors found a way back into the game just before the break through Oso, whose cushioned volley brought Sevilla hope and marked his first goal in senior football.

Any thoughts of a comeback were quickly ended after the restart. Six minutes into the second half, Raphinha completed his hat-trick when his effort took a heavy deflection off Nemanja Gudelj and looped into the top corner. It was a slice of fortune, but one that reflected Barcelona’s dominance across the night.

Cancelo then added a fifth in style, charging forward from the halfway line before finishing clinically on the hour mark to crown an impressive personal display.

Sevilla did manage a late reply when Sow headed in from an Oso cross in the closing moments, but it did little to change the outcome of a one-sided contest.

The result leaves Barcelona four points clear of Real Madrid with 10 matches remaining, while Sevilla stay 14th and just five points above the relegation zone.

There was more good news for the home crowd when Gavi returned in the 82nd minute for his first appearance since August following a serious knee injury, earning a warm reception. Lamine Yamal also came off the bench as Barcelona looked ahead to Wednesday’s Champions League last-16 second leg at home to Newcastle, after last week’s 1-1 draw on Tyneside.