Barcelona maintained their flawless start to the LaLiga season with a 3-1 comeback victory at Sevilla on Saturday evening, powered by a second consecutive hat-trick from captain Raphinha. The Brazilian forward has now scored 12 goals in just seven league matches, surpassing Lionel Messi's best-ever tally at the same stage of a season and closing in on Cristiano Ronaldo's all-time 21st-century record of 13 goals after seven rounds, set during the 2014-15 campaign.
Sevilla, a city in southern Spain and home to one of the country's most storied clubs, proved a difficult venue early on. Playing in temperatures still above 30 degrees Celsius and roared on by a fervent home crowd, the hosts started aggressively — and were rewarded when French midfielder Youssouf Fofana headed in to make it 1-0 in the 18th minute. The atmosphere was a reminder that Sevilla had beaten Barcelona 4-1 at this ground just last season. Raphinha equalised four minutes later, however, finishing coolly after a sharp body feint, and the momentum shifted decisively in Barcelona's favour.
The second half belonged entirely to the visitors. Raphinha headed home from a cross by teenage sensation Lamine Yamal to give Barcelona the lead in the 52nd minute, then converted a second Yamal assist with a delicate chip in the 69th minute — described as a goal of considerable beauty. He was substituted shortly afterwards, having long since settled the outcome. It was also the first appearance in goal for Croatian international Dominik Livaković for the club. The evening brought injury concerns, however: Danish defender Andreas Christensen was forced off early after an awkward collision, and midfielder Frenkie de Jong remained absent as he continues to recover from a knee injury.
The result lifts Barcelona to 21 points from seven games, six clear of Real Madrid — who face city rivals Atlético Madrid in the Sunday derby — and extends the Catalan club's unbeaten run to eight matches across all competitions. The club had already declared after matchday six that this was the best start in their history; Saturday's win extends that record further still. With 31 goals scored and a goal difference of plus 24, Barcelona's attacking form is setting a benchmark rarely seen in the modern era of European football.