Raphinha's Hat-Trick Leads Barcelona to Comeback Victory Against Sevilla

Barcelona walked into the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, fell behind early, and still walked out looking untouchable. A 3-1 comeback win over Sevilla keeps their La Liga record perfect and sends an increasingly clear message: this is Raphinha’s team now.

Early shock, instant response

Sevilla struck first. In the 19th minute, Youssouf Fofana punished Barcelona, putting the hosts ahead and igniting the stadium. For a brief moment, the noise felt like it might swallow Hansi Flick’s side.

It lasted three minutes.

Andreas Christensen picked the lock with a sharp, precise pass, and Raphinha did the rest, levelling almost immediately. One touch, one finish, and the momentum flipped. From there, Barcelona never really let go of the game again.

They took control of the ball, of the tempo, of the crowd. Sevilla chased; Barcelona dictated.

Raphinha, the new No. 9

The pressure eventually broke Sevilla after the break, and every time it did, the same name was on the end of it.

Raphinha added two more goals in the second half to complete a ruthless hat-trick, dragging Barcelona from 1-0 down to 3-1 up almost single-handedly. He now sits on 12 goals in just seven league matches this season, numbers that would make any classic centre-forward proud.

He is no longer just the winger who cuts inside. With Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres gone in the summer, Flick has pushed the Brazilian into a central role. It looks less like an experiment and more like a masterstroke.

Across all competitions, his tally is already up to 14 goals and three assists in eight games. That run includes back-to-back hat-tricks in the space of 72 hours, after his treble in the 7-2 demolition of Racing in the previous round. This is not a purple patch; it’s domination.

Yamal the creator, backline stands firm

Barcelona’s attacking fireworks were matched by a calm, controlled performance at the back.

There was a scare when Christensen went off in the second half with a thigh problem, but the defence did not wobble. Pau Cubarsi and Eric Garcia took charge of the backline, cutting out danger and limiting Sevilla to half-chances after Fofana’s opener.

Behind them, Dominik Livakovic marked his debut in goal with the kind of display that settles nerves. He handled Sevilla’s best efforts with authority and looked at ease in a new environment.

On the flank, Lamine Yamal gave Sevilla a different kind of headache. Constantly running at his marker, he stretched the game and repeatedly tested Odysseas Vlachodimos. Two of his deliveries turned into crucial assists for Raphinha, underlining how quickly he has become a decisive weapon in the final third.

As the minutes ticked by, Sevilla’s resistance thinned. Barcelona’s passing triangles grew sharper, the spaces wider, the crowd quieter. The visitors looked like a team that knew exactly who they are and where they are going.

Top of the table, bigger tests ahead

The win leaves Barcelona sitting comfortably at the top of La Liga with 21 points from 21. Flick has a perfect domestic record and, more importantly, a side that looks increasingly balanced: explosive in attack, organised behind the ball.

The next few days will be about details. Assessing Christensen’s thigh, managing minutes, fine-tuning for what comes next.

Getafe arrive on October 10 as the next league hurdle. Three days later, Galatasaray await in the Champions League in what already feels like a significant European test.

If Raphinha keeps scoring like this and the supporting cast maintains this level, the real question is not whether Barcelona can stay top.

It’s who, exactly, is going to stop them.