Flick sets record as Barcelona breeze past Racing with Raphinha hat-trick

BARCELONA, Sept 16 : Hansi Flick became the first Barcelona manager to win the club’s opening seven competitive matches of a season as the LaLiga leaders thrashed Racing Santander 7-2 at Camp Nou on Wednesday to move three points clear of second-placed Real Madrid.

Raphinha grabbed a hat-trick, while Joao Cancelo, Gabriel Jesus and Lamine Yamal scored and Racing’s Asier Villalibre put through his own net as Barcelona overwhelmed a much-changed Racing side, although two defensive lapses offered the visitors brief encouragement. 

Barcelona were on the front foot from the outset and took the lead after eight minutes when Cancelo’s long-range strike went in off the crossbar.

Racing coach Jose Lopez had rested several regular starters, while Flick named a largely first-choice lineup, and the difference in rhythm between the two sides was clear.

Raphinha doubled the lead from the penalty spot in the 25th minute after Pedro Felipe brought him down, but Maguette Gueye pulled one back against the run of play after brushing aside a weak challenge from Cancelo.

Quick to atone for his poor defending, Cancelo unleashed another long-range shot five minutes later that was credited as an own goal after taking a deflection off Asier Villalibre.

Raphinha made it 4-1 three minutes before halftime, converting Dani Olmo’s pass, before Barcelona squandered the chance to add a fifth. Karim Adeyemi was fouled inside the area, but Racing goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala saved Lamine’s penalty.

 Wojciech Szczesny replaced Joan Garcia in the Barcelona goal at halftime and in the opening moments of the second period, Juan Arana passed up a golden opportunity to score for Racing, before Lamine struck the inside of the post at the other end.

Racing's Yassir