By Our Reporter
Barcelona strengthened their position at the top of La Liga after Raphinha scored a hat-trick in a 3-1 victory over Sevilla at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium on Saturday.
The Brazilian forward completed his second hat-trick in four days, having also scored three times in Barcelona’s 7-2 victory over Racing Santander last Wednesday.
Sevilla took the lead in the 19th minute when Youssouf Fofana headed in Felix Correia’s cross at the near post.
Barcelona responded three minutes later as Raphinha cut inside before calmly firing past Sevilla goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos to level the score.
The visitors went ahead seven minutes into the second half. Lamine Yamal produced a clever run before delivering a cross for Raphinha, who headed Barcelona in front.
Raphinha completed his hat-trick in the 69th minute when Yamal again played a key role, slipping a precise pass through to the Brazilian, who chipped the goalkeeper to make it 3-1.
The victory was Barcelona’s seventh consecutive league win and their eighth successive victory in all competitions.
Raphinha’s three goals took his tally for the season to 14 goals in all competitions.
The result lifted Barcelona to 21 points, six ahead of second-placed Real Madrid and third-placed Real Betis, although both rivals had a game in hand.
Sevilla remain fifth with 13 points.
Real Madrid were scheduled to face city rivals Atletico Madrid on Sunday, while Real Betis were due to visit Deportivo La Coruna.