From Malay Mail · · 2m
Raphinha hat-trick powers Barcelona past Racing
Barcelona's Brazilian star scores three as the La Liga leaders demolish Racing Santander 7-2 to extend their title advantage.
In brief
Barcelona's Brazilian star scores three as the La Liga leaders demolish Racing Santander 7-2 to extend their title advantage. Barcelona maintained their three-point lead atop La Liga with a dominant 7-2 victory, with Raphinha scoring a hat-trick and extending his league-leading goal tally. Originally reported by Malay…
Barcelona demolish Racing 7-2
Barcelona's Raphinha scored a hat-trick as La Liga leaders thrashed Racing Santander 7-2 on Wednesday, with Joao Cancelo, Gabriel Jesus and Lamine Yamal also scoring.
Raphinha extends scoring lead
Raphinha's three goals extended his league-leading tally to nine goals this season, cementing his position as La Liga's top scorer.
Cancelo opens scoring with thunderbolt
Joao Cancelo struck twice, opening the scoring with a long-range effort before adding a third goal that deflected in off Racing defender Asier Villalibre.
Racing briefly threaten comeback
Racing Santander pulled back two goals through Maguette Gueye and Yassir Zabiri, but Barcelona's relentless attack proved too much to handle.
Yamal and Jesus complete rout
Lamine Yamal netted the seventh goal after Gabriel Jesus added the sixth, with the teenage star also hitting the post and having another goal ruled out for offside.
Garcia injured, Szczesny takes over
Barcelona goalkeeper Joan Garcia was replaced by Wojciech Szczesny at half-time after appearing to hurt his knee while slipping on the wet pitch.
Flick praises team focus and passing
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick told DAZN that the team's focus and passing quality were key to their success, comparing it to a good conversation.
“For me the most important thing is that we are always focused, with every pass. It's like conversation, a good conversation.”
Raphinha seeks continued improvement
Despite his hat-trick, Raphinha told DAZN he still wants to improve and give more to the team, saying he will never claim to be at his best level.
“It's always important to think you need to improve in some way.”
Real Madrid temporarily drew level
Real Madrid had pulled level with Barcelona on points after a 3-2 win at Elche on Tuesday, but Barcelona's 7-2 victory reestablished their three-point lead.
Atletico Madrid thrash Osasuna 4-0
Atletico Madrid defeated Osasuna 4-0 with goals from Jonathan David, Lee Kang-in, Robin Le Normand and Alex Baena to move into third place ahead of Sunday's derby with Real Madrid.
Levante match postponed due to weather
Levante's match against Athletic Bilbao was postponed shortly before kick-off because of heavy rain and a waterlogged pitch in Valencia.
The one thing
Barcelona maintained their three-point lead atop La Liga with a dominant 7-2 victory, with Raphinha scoring a hat-trick and extending his league-leading goal tally.
