Raphinha's Hat-Trick Leads Barcelona to Victory Over 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 domestic record perfect and sends another clear message: life after Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres belongs to Raphinha.

Shock, then response

The home crowd had barely settled when Barcelona were caught cold. In the 19th minute, as reported by Roger Torelló, Youssouf Fofana punished them, putting Sevilla ahead and igniting the stadium.

For a moment, it felt like a real test of this new-look Barça under Hansi Flick.

The response was ruthless.

Just three minutes later, Andreas Christensen split the Sevilla lines with a precise ball, and Raphinha finished clinically to level the game. One chance, one touch of composure, and the noise inside the Pizjuan dipped.

From there, Barcelona took control and never really let go.

They dominated the ball, pushed Sevilla back, and kept carving out opportunities. The early scare turned into a platform: Flick’s side grew in authority with every passing minute, turning a deficit into a demonstration.

Raphinha, the new No. 9

This was Raphinha’s night. Completely.

Deployed centrally since the summer departures of Lewandowski and Ferran Torres, the Brazilian is no longer just a winger cutting inside. He is the reference point, the finisher, the problem Sevilla never solved.

He added two more goals after the break to complete his hat-trick, dragging Barcelona clear and taking his league tally to 12 goals in seven appearances. Those are centre-forward numbers, and he is embracing the role.

Across all competitions, the figures are even more startling: 14 goals and three assists in just eight games this season.

And he is doing it in bursts of devastation. This was his second hat-trick in 72 hours, following his treble in the 7–2 demolition of Racing in the previous round. Different opponents, same outcome: Raphinha walking off with the match ball.

Structure behind the sparkle

Barcelona’s attacking flow grabbed the headlines, but there was steel behind it.

They lost Andreas Christensen to a thigh injury in the second half, a worrying sight for Flick with a busy October looming. Yet the defensive line held firm.

Dominik Livakovic, making his debut in goal, looked assured. He dealt with several promising Sevilla efforts, the kind of shots that can swing momentum in a tight game. No fuss, no drama, just solid goalkeeping.

In front of him, Pau Cubarsi and Eric Garcia marshalled the backline, cutting out danger and reducing Sevilla to half-chances after Fofana’s opener. The initial lapse never turned into a pattern.

Out wide, Lamine Yamal tormented Sevilla all evening. The young winger repeatedly attacked Odysseas Vlachodimos’ goal and delivered two crucial assists for Raphinha, his direct running stretching the game and opening lanes through the middle. His influence grew as Sevilla tired; his decision-making matched his talent.

By the final whistle, the contest felt lopsided. Sevilla’s early optimism had been drowned out by Barcelona’s collective control.

Top of the table, eyes on what’s next

The win keeps Barcelona comfortably on top of La Liga with 21 points, their perfect start intact and their confidence surging.

Flick now faces a different kind of task: managing the load, checking on Christensen’s fitness, and keeping this sharpness as the schedule intensifies.

Getafe await on October 10 in the league. Three days later, Galatasaray arrive in the Champions League for a crucial European test.

If Raphinha keeps scoring like this and the structure behind him stays as solid, the real question is not whether Barcelona can stay top.

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