Barcelona Stay Perfect As Raphinha, Yamal Fire Catalans To 5-2 Win Over Rayo

Barcelona maintained their perfect start to the LaLiga season on Monday night, producing an entertaining 5-2 victory over Rayo Vallecano at home to make it three wins from three matches.

The Catalan giants were forced to come from behind after Rayo stunned the hosts with the opening goal in the 12th minute.

Jozhua Vertrouwd released Álvaro García down the left, and the winger cut the ball back for Sergio Camello to finish and give the visitors a surprise lead.

Barcelona responded almost immediately, scoring twice in the space of three minutes to turn the game around.

Raphinha levelled after a flowing attacking move before Lamine Yamal produced a moment of individual brilliance, beating his marker with superb skill before curling an unstoppable effort into the top corner to put Barcelona 2-1 ahead.

Jules Koundé appeared to have extended Barcelona’s lead before half-time, but his effort was ruled out for offside.

The hosts eventually found a third goal after the restart when Florian Lejeune turned an Anthony Gordon cross into his own net.

Rayo refused to surrender, however, and reduced the deficit to 3-2 when Camello rose highest to head home from a corner and give the visitors renewed hope.

Barcelona then regained control, with Raphinha restoring their two-goal advantage in emphatic fashion.

A clever backheel from Gordon opened the way for the Brazilian forward, who unleashed a powerful finish to make it 4-2.

Yamal completed the scoring late on, calmly placing the ball into the net from the edge of the box to seal Barcelona’s 5-2 victory and his second goal of the night.

The result leaves Barcelona top of LaLiga with nine points from three matches. Real Madrid also have maximum points, but trail their rivals on goal difference.

For Rayo, the defeat leaves them with just one point from their opening three games and provisionally 18th in the table.