Barcelona demolished Racing Santander 7-2 at Spotify Camp Nou, with Raphinha scoring a hat-trick as Hansi Flick’s side secured their best-ever start to a La Liga season.
Match Summary
FC Barcelona continued their perfect start to the 2026-27 La Liga campaign with a emphatic 7-2 victory over newly-promoted Racing Santander on Wednesday night at Spotify Camp Nou . The win marked Barcelona’s sixth consecutive league victory, extending their record-breaking start to the season .
Raphinha was the standout performer, scoring a hat-trick that included two penalties, while João Cancelo, Gabriel Jesus, and Lamine Yamal also found the net . The victory keeps Barcelona at the top of the La Liga table with 18 points, three clear of Real Madrid .
Raphinha’s Historic Hat-Trick
Barcelona captain Raphinha delivered a masterclass performance, netting three goals to bring his La Liga tally to nine for the season . The Brazilian forward opened his account from the penalty spot in the 25th minute after Pedro Felipe brought him down in the box .
Raphinha added his second in the 42nd minute, finishing coolly after being played through by Dani Olmo . He completed his hat-trick in the 67th minute with another penalty, extending his lead as La Liga’s top scorer, two goals ahead of Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé .
The performance saw Raphinha equal a Lionel Messi milestone, matching the Argentine’s stunning start to a season from nine years prior .
How the Match Unfolded
First Half
Barcelona needed just eight minutes to take the lead. Lamine Yamal found João Cancelo on the left, and the Portuguese defender unleashed a thunderous strike from long range that crashed in off the crossbar .
Dani Olmo twice came close before Raphinha won and converted a penalty for Barcelona’s second . Racing Santander briefly halved the deficit in the 30th minute when Maguette Gueye barged through the Barcelona defense and produced a neat finish past Joan Garcia .
However, the respite was short-lived. Cancelo’s second long-range effort deflected in off Asier Villalibre for an own goal in the 36th minute, restoring Barcelona’s two-goal cushion . Raphinha then added his second four minutes before the break, finishing from close range after Olmo’s through ball .
Lamine Yamal had a chance to add a fifth from the penalty spot in first-half stoppage time, but Julen Agirrezabala saved his effort .
Second Half
The second period began with a concerning moment for Barcelona as goalkeeper Joan Garcia was forced off at half-time after slipping on the rain-soaked pitch, replaced by Wojciech Szczesny .
Racing Santander pulled another goal back in the 65th minute through a dreadful error from Szczesny. The Polish goalkeeper attempted to dribble past Yassir Zabiri but was dispossessed, allowing the Moroccan to score into an empty net .
Barcelona responded immediately. Raphinha completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot in the 67th minute after Karim Adeyemi was brought down . Substitute Gabriel Jesus added the sixth in the 79th minute, finishing sharply into the top corner after being played in by Yamal .
Yamal eventually got his goal in the 89th minute, converting Adeyemi’s cross from the left to seal the emphatic victory .
Key Statistics
| Statistic | Barcelona | Racing Santander |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 69% | 31% |
| Total Shots | 30 | 5 |
| Shots on Target | 9 | 2 |
| Expected Goals (xG) | 5.89 | 0.81 |
| Corners | 18 | 0 |
| Fouls | 10 | 13 |
Source: Goal.com match statistics
The statistics reveal Barcelona’s complete dominance. The Blaugrana generated 30 shots compared to Racing’s five, with an expected goals value of 5.89 to the visitors’ 0.81 . Racing Santander failed to register a single corner throughout the match .
What This Means for Both Clubs
Barcelona
The victory represents Barcelona’s best-ever start to a La Liga season under Hansi Flick, with 28 goals scored in just six matches . The German tactician has transformed the Blaugrana into a relentless scoring machine, and the team now sits three points clear of Real Madrid at the top of the table .
Barcelona face a significant test this weekend when they travel to face Sevilla, who sit fourth in the standings . The match will provide a clearer indication of whether Flick’s side can maintain their remarkable form against stronger opposition.
Racing Santander
The defeat leaves Racing Santander in tenth place with seven points from six matches . The newly-promoted side, champions of the second division last season, have found life in La Liga challenging, with a goal difference of -5 .
Racing midfielder Aaron Martin offered a candid assessment after the match: “We knew that when we best managed to get out from the back with the ball we gave it away, and they did us a lot of damage. We know the level they have… we have to continue and forget about this game” .
Head-to-Head Context
This was Racing Santander’s first visit to Camp Nou in 15 years, following their promotion back to the Spanish top flight . The Cantabrian club, based in northern Spain, had previously competed in La Liga before suffering relegation and spending over a decade in the second division.
The match was played under difficult conditions, with thunderstorms and heavy rain lashing Camp Nou throughout the evening. The inclement weather had threatened to postpone the fixture, though it ultimately proceeded as scheduled .
Conclusion
Barcelona’s 7-2 demolition of Racing Santander was a statement performance that underlined their status as La Liga’s dominant force. Raphinha’s hat-trick, combined with goals from Cancelo, Jesus, and Yamal, showcased the attacking depth at Hansi Flick’s disposal. The Blaugrana have now scored 33 goals in seven games across all competitions this season , and their six-win start represents the best in club history . For Racing Santander, the heavy defeat serves as a sobering reminder of the gap between Spain’s elite and its promoted sides, though the visitors did show flashes of resilience in scoring twice against the league leaders.
