La Liga 2025-26: Rahinha hat-trick propels Barcelona past Sevilla and restores four-point lead

Raphinha scored a hat-trick as FC Barcelona defeated Sevilla FC 5-2 to restore their four-point lead at the top of La Liga on Sunday.

After Real Madrid closed the gap by beating Elche CF on Saturday, the Spanish champions responded with a comfortable win.

Dani Olmo and Joao Cancelo also scored for Hansi Flick’s side, who host Newcastle United in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday dse45r.

Fans poured into the stadium to vote in the club’s presidential elections, with either Joan Laporta or Victor Font set to be announced as new chiefs later on Sunday evening.

After the 1-1 draw at Newcastle in the first leg of the last 16, Flick left Lamine Yamal on the bench and handed youngster Xavi Espart his first start at right-back.

Barcelona were awarded two penalties by the struggling Sevilla team to make a perfect start at the partially rebuilt Camp Nou, which was recently cleared to reopen the north stand.

About 56,000 fans were in attendance to watch a fairly easy defeat of the 14th-place Andalusian side.

Djibril Sow fired rampaging Barcelona full-back Cancelo into the penalty area and Raphinha drilled home from the spot to open the scoring in the ninth minute.

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The Brazilian winger was awarded another penalty, putting Barcelona two goals ahead when Jose Angel Carmona, lying on the ground, handled as Cancelo tried to dribble around him. This time Raphinha shot low to the left and although Odysseas Vlachodimos went in the right direction he could not keep him out.

The hosts added a third in the 38th minute when Marc Bernal’s deflected cross from the left found Olmo, who finished clinically.

Sevilla pulled one back before half-time when Juanlu Sánchez got behind Cancelo and crossed for Chidera Ejuke, who scored unmarked at the back post.

Raphinha completed his hat-trick early in the second half with a heavily deflected shot as Barcelona extended its lead.

Cancelo capped an impressive attacking display with an own goal, driving into the penalty area and finishing through the legs of Vlachodimos.

Barcelona coach Flick later sent on 21-year-old midfielder Gavi for the final 10 minutes, marking his first appearance since August after a serious knee injury.

Sow pulled a back for Sevilla in injury time and nodded to Ejuke’s cross, while Barcelona already turned its attention to the visit of Newcastle on Wednesday.

Published on March 15, 2026