Raphinha Hits Hat Trick as Barcelona Routs Valladolid 7-0 to Make It 4 from 4 under Flick

 Soccer Football - LaLiga - FC Barcelona v Real Valladolid - Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, Barcelona, Spain - August 31, 2024 FC Barcelona's Raphinha celebrates scoring their first goal. (Reuters)
Soccer Football - LaLiga - FC Barcelona v Real Valladolid - Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, Barcelona, Spain - August 31, 2024 FC Barcelona's Raphinha celebrates scoring their first goal. (Reuters)
TT
20

Raphinha Hits Hat Trick as Barcelona Routs Valladolid 7-0 to Make It 4 from 4 under Flick

 Soccer Football - LaLiga - FC Barcelona v Real Valladolid - Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, Barcelona, Spain - August 31, 2024 FC Barcelona's Raphinha celebrates scoring their first goal. (Reuters)
Soccer Football - LaLiga - FC Barcelona v Real Valladolid - Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, Barcelona, Spain - August 31, 2024 FC Barcelona's Raphinha celebrates scoring their first goal. (Reuters)

Brazil forward Raphinha scored a hat trick and set up another goal as Barcelona routed Valladolid 7-0 and remained perfect with four wins in as many games under new coach Hansi Flick on Saturday.

The early leader of the Spanish league rolled over newly promoted Valladolid at home, with Robert Lewandowski, Dani Olmo, Jules Koundé and Ferran Torres also finding the net.

Lamine Yamal, who starred in Spain’s European Championship title run, set up two goals and was way too much for Valladolid to handle from Lionel Messi’s old spot on the right flank.

Raphinha had already started the season strong with a pair of assists before he powered the big win over Valladolid with his first career treble. And that came after the club was reported to have been interested in securing a blockbuster transfer for Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams, another Spain standout.

If Williams had arrived, Raphinha would have likely been the odd man out.

“I have been working hard since I came back from the summer holidays. I knew that this season would be very important,” the former Leeds player said.

“The game today showed that we don’t need new players to come in. We are in good shape and working hard in practice and games. And this shows where we are right now.”

It was 3-0 by halftime and the final score could have been even worse for the hapless visitor. Olmo, making his first start for Barcelona, hit the woodwork twice and Lewandowski also rattled the post.

When Barcelona fired Xavi Hernández and brought in Flick, president Joan Laporta said his team needed a change.

So far, so good.

The German coach has found a slick attacking unit of Lewandowski, Raphinha and Spain trio Yamal, Olmo, and Pedri, that could give its fans reason to hope Barcelona will challenge defending champion Real Madrid despite the addition of Kylian Mbappé.

Flick gave a fourth debut to the products of the club’s famed La Masia academy. This time it was the turn of 19-year-old defender Sergi Domínguez, who went on in the second half.

Raphinha used his chest to control a lobbed pass by 17-year-old defender Pau Cubarsí, who helped Spain win an Olympic gold, and opened the scoring in the 20th minute.

Lewandowski quickly doubled the lead from a cross by Yamal to give the Poland striker four goals in this campaign.

Koundé put the result beyond doubt in first-half injury time.

Raphinha scored from passes by Lewandowski and Yamal in the 64th and 72nd to make it a blowout. Olmo, who also stood out for Spain at Euro 2024, took this second goal in as many games since joining from Leipzig. Substitute Torres capped the demolition by side-footing in a low cross from Raphinha.

Barcelona has 12 points to Madrid’s five. The titleholder is in fifth place after drawing two of its first three matches. It hosts Real Betis on Sunday.

Super subs

Substitutes Ángel Correa and Alexander Sorloth linked up in injury time to secure a 1-0 win for Atletico Madrid at Bilbao.

Correa took the late winner after Sorloth sprung a counterattack when he stole a ball from defender Iñigo Lekue and set up his strike partner on the gallop to round the goalkeeper and score.

Sorloth went on for Julián Álvarez with 20 minutes left. Correa joined him in the 88th.

Staying for now

After Bilbao’s loss, Williams spoke about his future and the interest he received from other clubs following his superb showing at the Euros in Germany.

“Other players would have taken up the chances I had,” Williams said. “I showed that I am happy here. I have decided that I want to be here one more year and enjoy playing in (the Europa League with Bilbao).”

First wins

Espanyol got a goal deep in stoppage time from Alejo Veliz to complete a 2-1 comeback over Rayo Vallecano, its first win since returning to the top-flight after one season in the second division.

Mallorca’s Dani Rodríguez scored to secure his team its first victory, beating Leganes 1-0 on the road.

Ayoze Pérez canceled out Hugo Duro’s opener to give Villarreal a 1-1 draw at regional rival Valencia.



Arsenal Manager Arteta Pleased with Early Transfer Business

Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta attends a press conference ahead of their football match against AC Milan at the National Stadium in Singapore on July 21, 2025. (Photo by Roslan RAHMAN / AFP)
Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta attends a press conference ahead of their football match against AC Milan at the National Stadium in Singapore on July 21, 2025. (Photo by Roslan RAHMAN / AFP)
TT
20

Arsenal Manager Arteta Pleased with Early Transfer Business

Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta attends a press conference ahead of their football match against AC Milan at the National Stadium in Singapore on July 21, 2025. (Photo by Roslan RAHMAN / AFP)
Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta attends a press conference ahead of their football match against AC Milan at the National Stadium in Singapore on July 21, 2025. (Photo by Roslan RAHMAN / AFP)

Mikel Arteta said he was happy that Arsenal had signed a number of top-quality players in the early stages of the transfer window, and that they had given the Premier League club impetus to raise their level in the coming season.

Runners-up for the last three seasons, Arsenal have signed winger Noni Madueke and goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea, as well as midfielders Christian Norgaard from Brentford and Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad.

"They bring new excitement, a new energy as well," Arteta told reporters in Singapore on Monday ahead of a pre-season match against Serie A side AC Milan.

"We signed very important players as well. Again, everybody feels like their height has to go to a different level, and that's what we're seeking," he added, according to Reuters.

"Ideally, you want it (transfers) done on day one in pre-season. We've done very, very well so far. I'm very pleased with the way the club is supporting the necessities and improvements that we required in the team."

Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres, who scored 54 goals in 52 games for Sporting last season, is also expected to move to the Emirates Stadium.

"There's still a long time in the window, and we are seeking. In terms of numbers, we are short, and we have to improve the depth and the quality of the squad," Arteta added.

"We are constantly looking in the market, but until that happens, I can focus on the players that we actually have, work with them, and I'm very pleased with what I've seen so far in the first 10-15 days."

Arteta briefly spoke about former player Thomas Partey, who was charged with rape and sexual assault this month, after leaving the club at the end of last season.

"I think the club was very clear in its statement. There are a lot of legal matters that are very complicated so I cannot comment on any of that," Arteta said.

Asked if he felt like the club had followed the right processes in dealing with the issue, he replied: "100%, yes."