Raphinha scored a hat-trick as FC Barcelona thrashed Sevilla FC 5–2 on Sunday to restore their four-point lead at the top of La Liga.
After Real Madrid reduced the gap with a win over Elche CF on Saturday, the defending champions responded with an emphatic victory.
Dani Olmo and João Cancelo also found the net for Hansi Flick’s side, who now turn their attention to Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League clash with Newcastle United.
Supporters also streamed into the stadium to vote in the club’s presidential elections, with either Joan Laporta or Victor Font set to be announced as the new president later on Sunday night.
Following the 1–1 draw in Newcastle in the last-16 first leg, Flick rotated his squad, leaving Lamine Yamal on the bench and handing youngster Xavi Espart his first start at right-back.
Barcelona made the perfect start against a struggling Sevilla side, winning two penalties early on at the partially rebuilt Camp Nou, which recently received clearance to reopen its north stand.
Around 56,000 fans were in attendance and were treated to a comfortable victory over the visitors, who sit 14th in the table.
Sevilla midfielder Djibril Sow clipped the surging Cancelo in the penalty area, allowing Raphinha to delicately convert from the spot in the ninth minute.
Barcelona were awarded another penalty soon after when José Ángel Carmona handled the ball on the ground while trying to stop Cancelo’s run. Raphinha fired low to the left, beating goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos despite the keeper guessing correctly.
The hosts added a third in the 38th minute when Marc Bernal’s deflected cross found Olmo, who finished clinically.
Sevilla pulled one back before the break when Juanlu Sánchez broke behind Cancelo and delivered a cross for Kelechi Oso to score unmarked at the back post.
Raphinha completed his hat-trick early in the second half with a heavily deflected effort as Barcelona cruised in the spring sunshine.
Cancelo then capped an impressive attacking display by driving into the box and finishing through Vlachodimos’s legs to make it five.
Flick later introduced Gavi for the final 10 minutes, marking the midfielder’s first appearance since August after recovering from a serious knee injury.
Sow grabbed a late consolation for Sevilla in stoppage time, heading home a cross from Oso, with Barcelona already turning their focus to Newcastle’s visit on Wednesday.
AFP
