Raphinha scored a sensational hat-trick to power Barcelona to a statement 4-1 win over Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League.
Barca had lost six straight games against Bayern before tonight but, under the guidance of ex-Bayern manager Hansi Flick, frequently cut through the German side with ruthless efficiency.
Raphinha’s first goal came inside a minute and was a sign of things to come. While Harry Kane equalised, ex-Bayern striker Robert Lewandowski soon restored the lead.
A pair of well-taken breakaway goals – set up by superb Marc Casado and Lamine Yamal assists – completed the Raphinha hat-trick and meant the contest was effectively over before an hour had been played.
Bayern have just three points from three games and are 23rd in the Champions League table. Barcelona, meanwhile, climb to 10th.
Talking Point – Flick’s Barcelona may be the real deal
This was a seriously impressive result for Barcelona, against a team that before tonight had lost just once all season.
Flick appeared to get his counter-attacking tactics spot on and the fact it was Raphinha – probably the least-heralded of Barca’s attacking trio – who shone the brightest suggests even greater things could be to come. That matchday one defeat at Monaco feels a long time ago and with Barca having suffered an early red card it’s easy to chalk up as a freak result.
Bigger tests are to come – starting with El Clasico on Sunday. But you can only judge a team off the games they have played, and Flick’s Barcelona look exciting so far.
Player of the Match – Raphinha (Barcelona)
Who else? All three goals were taken brilliantly and it was Raphinha’s ruthlessness which created a chasm between the sides.
Player Ratings
Barcelona: Pena 6, Kounde 7, Cubarsi 6, Martinez 6, Balde 6, Casado 7, Pedri 7, Lopez 8, Yamal 7, Raphinha 10, Lewandowski 6. Subs: De Jong 6, Olmo 6, Gavi n/a, Fati n/a, Victor n/a.
Bayern Munich: Neuer 5, Guerreiro 5, Upamecano 5, Kim 5, Davies 6, Kimmich 5, Palhinha 5, Olise 6, Muller 6, Gnabry 5, Kane 6. Subs: Musiala 5, Sane 4, Coman 4, Goretzka 5, Laimer n/a
Match Highlights
1′ – GOAL! BARCELONA 1-0 BAYERN MUNICH (RAPHINHA) – Bayern are caught out high up the pitch. Raphinha beats the offside trap and goes through on goal, round Neuer then slots home. What a start!
18′ –GOAL! BARCELONA 1-1 BAYERN MUNICH (KANE)– The equaliser has been coming and here it is! Olise switches play brilliantly to Gnabry, on the left, and his cross is volleyed back across the goalkeeper and in by Kane.
36′ – GOAL! BARCELONA 2-1BAYERN MUNICH (LEWANDOWSKI) – It had to be him. Lopez gets in behind Kim, pokes the ball beyond Neuer and Lewandowski has an easy finish.
45′ – GOAL! BARCELONA 3-1 BAYERN MUNICH (RAPHINHA) – Casado plays a brilliant crossfield pass to Raphinha on the left, and the Brazilian takes it on the volley in his stride. He cuts inside, bamboozling the full-back, then curls into the top corner. A superb goal.
56′ – GOAL! BARCELONA 4-1 BAYERN MUNICH (RAPHINHA) – The Barca captain completes his hat-trick in style! As the hosts break, Raphinha takes a brilliant Yamal pass down on his chest, dribbles to the top of the box and fires low, hard and past Neuer.
Key Stats
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