La Liga: Raphinha Scores Twice, Yamal Nets Two as Barcelona Beat Rayo Vallecano 5-2 for Third Straight Win

At 3:30 a.m. Beijing time on September 1, La Liga Matchday 3 kicked off, with Barcelona hosting Rayo Vallecano. In the first half, Rayo Vallecano's Camello scored from close range in the 12th minute; Barcelona quickly turned the match around with goals from Raphinha's forward run in the 19th minute and Yamal's cut inside and finish in the 21st minute. In the second half, Gordon forced an own goal from defender Lejeune in the 51st minute; Camello headed in another goal for Rayo Vallecano in the 59th minute; Raphinha scored his second goal in the 71st minute; and Yamal completed his brace with a long-range shot from the edge of the box in the 90th minute. Barcelona eventually won 5-2 at home, opening the new La Liga season with three straight wins and scoring 12 goals in three matches.

In the 9th minute, Raphinha took a set-piece shot from the attacking half, and after a deflection off a defender, the ball went wide past the left side of the goal line. In the 12th minute, Alvaro Garcia advanced down the left and played a cutback into the middle of the box, where Camello followed up with a powerful finish to make it Barcelona 0-1 Rayo Vallecano!

Seven minutes later, Barcelona equalized. In the 19th minute, Pedri played a through ball in the center of the attacking area, Espart pushed the ball into the box, and Raphinha followed up, cut inside, and finished to make it 1-1!

In the 21st minute, Bernardo passed the ball from the right side of the penalty area, and Yamal cut inside and smashed a shot into the net as Barcelona took a 2-1 lead!

In the 28th minute, after a tactical set piece from Raphinha, Pedri followed up with a powerful shot that went over the bar. In the 40th minute, Bernal's long-range effort from the center of the attacking area was saved. In the 45+1st minute, Gordon shifted across the left side of the box before shooting, but his effort was saved; Kounde followed up with a rebound goal, but the referee ruled there was an earlier offside and the goal was disallowed.

At halftime, Barcelona led 2-1.

After the restart, Barcelona quickly extended their lead. In the 51st minute, Barcelona won the ball in the attacking half and launched a fast counterattack. Gordon entered the left side of the box and attempted a cross for Raphinha, but defender Lejeune accidentally scored an own goal, making it 3-1 for Barcelona!

In the 59th minute, Rayo Vallecano won a corner from the attacking end, and Camello scored with a header to complete his brace, bringing Rayo Vallecano back to 2-3!

In the 68th minute, Yamal played a pass from the left side of the penalty area, and Fermin's follow-up powerful shot was blocked by a defender.

In the 71st minute, Kounde sent a long pass into the left side of the field. Gordon made a deceptive dribble on the left side of the box before cleverly touching the ball with his heel, and the advancing Raphinha scored with a low shot to make it 4-1!

In the 79th minute, Yamal sent a cutback from the left side of the penalty area, and Adeyemi's follow-up shot was saved by the goalkeeper.

In the 90th minute, Yamal received Adeyemi's pass at the top of the arc and scored with a long-range shot, sealing the score at 5-2 for Barcelona!

The match ended, with Barcelona winning 5-2 after registering 26 shots throughout the game!

Match lineups:

Barcelona (4-2-3-1): 1 Joan Garcia / 12 Espart, 15 Christensen, 5 Cubarsi, 23 Kounde / 8 Pedri (77th minute, 2 Cancelo), 5 Bernal (64th minute, 16 Rodri) / 17 Anthony Gordon (77th minute, 14 Adeyemi), 20 Olmo (64th minute, 7 Fermin), 10 Yamal / 11 Raphinha (86th minute, 29 Hamza)

Rayo Vallecano (4-2-3-1): 1 Cardenas / 33 Vitrauld (32nd minute, 17 Pedrosa), 6 Rosis, 24 Lejeune, 20 Balliu / 36 Bouari (57th minute, 4 Pedro Diaz), 23 Valentin / 18 Alvaro Garcia, 8 Unai Lopez (75th minute, 11 Nteka), 19 De Frutos (57th minute, 21 Fran Perez) / 10 Camello (75th minute, 9 Zurawski)

(Sohu Sports original: Lade)