Raphinha Scores Twice as Barcelona Thrash Feyenoord 5-1

Raphinha scored twice as Barcelona launched their Champions League campaign with a commanding 5-1 victory over Feyenoord on Wednesday, extending Hansi Flick’s side’s perfect start to the season.

Karim Adeyemi, Lamine Yamal and substitute Gabriel Jesus also scored for Barcelona, while Sem Steijn pulled one back for the Dutch visitors. The result was Barcelona’s fifth win from five matches in all competitions this season, with the team scoring five goals in four of those games.

Barcelona, who last won the Champions League in 2015, made a rapid start at Camp Nou. Raphinha struck after only three minutes, breaking into the box before cutting inside and finishing after two defenders slid away on the slick surface.

The home side had to contend with heavy rain early in the match after a storm broke following several days of hot weather in Barcelona. By the time the downpour had stopped, Flick’s team had already established control.

Barcelona take control from the opening minutes

Adeyemi doubled Barcelona’s advantage with a long-range effort, curling his shot beyond Feyenoord goalkeeper Tjark Ernst. Joao Cancelo then hit the post as Barcelona continued to create openings against Giovanni Van Bronckhorst’s team.

Raphinha added his second goal in the second half, running on to a through-ball from Pedri and slotting home to make it 3-0. The Brazil international has been deployed up front after Barcelona sold Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres, and his two goals took his tally to eight in five matches.

Feyenoord thought they had reduced the deficit immediately after Barcelona’s third when Nacho Ferri finished, but the goal was ruled out following a VAR review for offside in the build-up.

Yamal then made it 4-0 with a direct free-kick that crept through the wall, his first such strike for Barcelona. Feyenoord introduced Shaqueel van Persie as they looked for a response, and Steijn eventually found one for the visitors. He escaped Jules Kounde before meeting Goncalo Borges’ low cross at the back post.

That goal proved only a brief interruption to Barcelona’s strong night. Gabriel Jesus, who joined from Arsenal in the summer, came off the bench to score his first Barcelona goal, glancing in a header from Yamal’s cross to complete the 5-1 result.

Flick praises Barcelona’s collective display

Flick said Barcelona’s early run of results had been built on the side playing as a unit. “The first five games, we did really good. We scored a lot of goals but the most important thing is we are playing like a team, like one unit,” he told reporters.

The Barcelona coach added that his team had controlled the match and shown the kind of dominance he wants to see. “We controlled the game, we are dominant and this is fantastic to see. This is our style and how we want to play,” Flick said.

Raphinha also highlighted Barcelona’s control from the outset and the confidence generated by taking their chances. “I think we were very good, from the start of the game, controlling the game and with the chances we had we were able to score and it gives us a lot of confidence,” he said.

Barcelona’s captain stressed that the season remains long despite the impressive opening sequence. He said the team must continue in the same way and hope that any downturns during the campaign are kept as small as possible. For now, Barcelona’s first Champions League league-phase outing has delivered a five-goal statement and maintained their winning momentum.