Raphinha Hat-Trick Fuels Barcelona to Dominating Win Over Sevilla
BARCELONA, Spain – Barcelona delivered a commanding performance Sunday, defeating Sevilla 5-2 at the Spotify Camp Nou in a La Liga match highlighted by a hat-trick from Brazilian forward Raphinha. The victory restores Barcelona’s four-point lead at the top of the Spanish league table, bolstering their title aspirations.
The match began brightly for the hosts, with Barcelona awarded a penalty just eight minutes in after Joao Cancelo was fouled by Djibril Sow. Raphinha calmly converted the spot-kick, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way with a delicate Panenka-style finish.
Barcelona continued to press, and their dominance was rewarded with a second penalty in the 18th minute. VAR confirmed a handball by Jose Carmona, and Raphinha stepped up once again, this time placing his shot into the bottom corner to double Barcelona’s advantage.
Dani Olmo extended Barcelona’s lead to 3-0 in the 38th minute, capitalizing on a loose ball following a failed clearance by Sevilla’s defense. His shot found the bottom corner, leaving the Sevilla goalkeeper with no chance.
Sevilla managed to pull one back just before halftime through Oso, who volleyed home a cross from Juanlu Sanchez. However, any hopes of a comeback were quickly extinguished after the restart.
Raphinha completed his hat-trick in the 51st minute, his shot deflecting off a Sevilla player and past the goalkeeper. The Brazilian’s performance was a masterclass in finishing and a key factor in Barcelona’s victory.
Joao Cancelo added a fifth goal for Barcelona in the 60th minute, skillfully navigating past two defenders before slotting the ball into the net. The goal showcased Cancelo’s attacking prowess and further cemented Barcelona’s control of the match.
Despite a late consolation goal from Djibril Sow in added time, Barcelona comfortably secured the three points. The win marks Barcelona’s 12th consecutive victory at the Camp Nou since returning to their renovated stadium in November, with a remarkable goal tally of 39 during that run.
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance, acknowledging areas for improvement but emphasizing the positive momentum. “A lot of things are going in a good way,” Flick said after the game. “Three points more, one game less, we scored five goals, but in the beginning we don’t play with this conviction I want to see. We have many games, and maybe for many players it’s a lot, but to play faster, this is what we have to do.”
The victory was particularly significant given Barcelona’s upcoming Champions League tie against Newcastle. The team appears to be hitting form at a crucial time, and the confidence gained from this dominant display will undoubtedly be carried into their European campaign.
Notably, Barcelona’s teenage star Lamine Yamal was kept on the bench until the 67th minute, suggesting a strategic decision by Flick to manage the player’s workload.
Match Details
- Teams: Barcelona 5 – 2 Sevilla
- League: LaLiga
- Date: March 15, 2026
- Venue: Spotify Camp Nou, Barcelona
Goals
- Barcelona: Raphinha (9′ pen, 21′ pen, 51′), Dani Olmo (38′), Joao Cancelo (60′)
- Sevilla: Oso (45’+3′), Djibril Sow (90’+2′)
Lineups
Barcelona: Garcia, Espart, Cubarsi, Martin, Cancelo (Araujo 66′), Pedri (Fermin 46′), Olmo, Bernal (Casado 67′), Bardghji (Yamal 67′), Raphinha (Gavi 82′), Lewandowski.
Sevilla: Vlachodimos, Sanchez, Nianzou (Castrin 70′), Gudelj, Suazo (Vargas 46′), Agoume (Bueno 78′), Sow, Carmona (Ejuke 46′), Sanchez, Oso, Adams (Maupay 46′).
Barcelona’s next challenge comes in the second leg of their Champions League tie against Newcastle. The team will be looking to build on this impressive victory and secure a place in the next round of the competition. Sevilla, meanwhile, will aim to bounce back from this defeat and climb further away from the relegation zone in La Liga.
The win keeps Barcelona firmly in the driver’s seat in the Spanish title race, with Real Madrid trailing by four points. As the season progresses, the battle for the championship promises to be a thrilling contest.
