Barcelona produced an impressive attacking display as Hansi Flick’s side came from behind to defeat Rayo Vallecano 5-2 at Spotify Camp Nou on Monday, with Lamine Yamal and Raphinha scoring twice each.
Rayo stunned the hosts in the 12th minute when Alvaro Garcia broke down the left and picked out Sergio Camello, who beat Andreas Christensen before firing past goalkeeper Joan Garcia. It was the first goal Barcelona had conceded in La Liga this season.
Barcelona responded seven minutes later as Raphinha cut inside Pathe Ciss before sending a low effort into the bottom corner. Yamal then completed the turnaround, collecting the ball on the edge of the area and firing a powerful left-footed shot into the top corner.
The strike was a landmark moment for Yamal, as the 19-year-old reached 50 goals for Barcelona’s first team and became the youngest player in the club’s history to achieve the feat.
Barcelona continued to control proceedings, although Jules Kounde had a goal ruled out for offside before the break. The hosts extended their advantage six minutes into the second half when Rayo defender Florian Lejeune inadvertently turned Anthony Gordon’s low cross into his own net.
Rayo pulled one back in the 59th minute, with Camello heading a corner past Joan Garcia, but Barcelona quickly restored their two-goal cushion. Kounde’s long ball initiated the move before Gordon’s back-heel set up Raphinha, who finished clinically.
Yamal completed his brace in the 90th minute, curling a composed effort inside the post to seal Barcelona’s fifth goal.
The match also marked the competitive debut of Egyptian youngster Hamza Abdelkarim for Barcelona after his impressive pre-season campaign.
The victory further underlined Barcelona’s attacking strength and extended Flick’s side’s strong start to the season.
