Leading All Europe with 8 Goals! Raphinha’s Brace Helps Barcelona Rout Feyenoord 5-1

Raphinha has scored again, and this time he scored twice. On September 9 Beijing time, Barcelona defeated Feyenoord 5-1 at home in the Champions League opener. The Brazilian winger scored after three minutes and added another goal in the 57th minute, taking his total goals in all competitions this season to eight and temporarily making him the top scorer in Europe.

Breaking through the defense after just three minutes

At the start of the match, Raphinha received a pass from Yamal inside the penalty area. With just one touch, he sent two defenders off balance, then calmly finished past the goalkeeper. The goal completely disrupted Feyenoord’s defensive rhythm. Barcelona’s high press quickly turned into a second goal, and after Adeyemi scored, Raphinha received a pass from Pedri in the 57th minute and made it 3-0.

Leading Europe with 8 goals, does Barcelona no longer lack a striker?

Raphinha has scored six goals in La Liga this season, sitting at the top of the league scoring chart. Adding his two Champions League goals, his tally of eight goals temporarily makes him the highest-scoring player among Europe’s top five leagues. More importantly, Barcelona lost Lewandowski and Ferran Torres this summer and were questioned over a lack of attacking firepower. The club originally wanted to sign Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez, but eventually rushed to complete a deal for Arsenal’s Jesus before the transfer window closed. Jesus came on as a substitute and scored the fifth goal of the match, but Barcelona’s attacking focal point has clearly become Raphinha.

From the edge of departure to an attacking pillar

When Raphinha joined from Leeds United in 2022, he was viewed as a hard-working winger. After Yamal’s rise, he was once considered a possible departure from Barcelona. However, Raphinha proved through his performances that he can play on the left side and also move into central areas. In the 2024-25 season, he scored 34 goals in all competitions and helped Barcelona win La Liga and the Copa del Rey. Now 29, he has once again upgraded his role, changing from someone who was “likely to be sold” into “the player who should not have been let go.”

Flick: His energy is extremely important

After the match, Barcelona head coach Flick specifically highlighted Raphinha’s pressing work in attack: “Raphinha, we all saw it today, his energy was excellent. We had many opportunities in transitions and counterattacks, and when we had possession we could patiently wait to create space.” Raphinha himself said: “Every season has ups and downs, but starting the new season like this has given us great confidence.”

Barcelona also signed Rodri from Manchester City this summer, as well as wingers Anthony Gordon and Adeyemi. Looking at the situation now, not spending heavily on the attacking line has instead become the most worthwhile decision of this summer’s “holding position.”