Barcelona’s teenage star Lamine Yamal and Raphinha both struck twice as the champions beat Rayo Vallecano 5-2 on Monday to continue their perfect start to the campaign.
Sergio Camello netted a brace for the visitors at Camp Nou but Hansi Flick’s Barca managed to record a third win from three matches from an entertaining battle.
The Rayo midfielder crossed for Camello to finish clinically first time into the top corner. Stung, champions Barcelona hit back quickly with quickfire goals from Raphinha and Yamal. Raphinha, who has played up front during the start of the season amid Barcelona’s failed battle to land Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez, continued his rich vein of goalscoring form. Shortly afterwards teenager Yamal scored his first of the season after Rayo conceded possession in a dangerous area following a defensive mix-up. However, youngster Xavi Espart could not handle Camello at a Rayo corner and the forward nodded home his second of the game to give the visitors a fighting chance.
With his first goal, Yamal, 19, hit the milestone of 50 for the club two years younger than Barcelona icon Lionel Messi was when he managed the feat. Watching on from the stands was Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus, poised to join Barca before the transfer window closes on Tuesday and clearly facing a battle with his compatriot to start up front.
