Rampant Raphinha bags brace as Barcelona rout Feyenoord
Barcelona Open Champions League Campaign With Emphatic Feyenoord Win
Indiadailyupdate.com – Barcelona launched their Champions League league-phase campaign in commanding fashion on Wednesday, sweeping aside Feyenoord 5-1 at Camp Nou as Raphinha extended his remarkable scoring run with two more goals.
Hansi Flick’s side were in control for most of the evening despite difficult weather before kick-off. Karim Adeyemi produced an impressive long-range finish, Lamine Yamal scored directly from a free-kick and substitute Gabriel Jesus completed the scoring with his first Barcelona goal since arriving from Arsenal during the summer.
Sem Steijn found a late response for Feyenoord, but it did little to alter the picture of a one-sided contest. Barcelona have now won each of their first five games in all competitions this season, reaching five goals in four of those fixtures.
Raphinha thrives in central role
With Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres having been sold, Raphinha has been deployed at centre-forward and has settled into the role at extraordinary speed. His double against Feyenoord took his total to eight goals in five appearances this season.
The Brazilian opened the scoring after only three minutes. Breaking into the penalty area with purpose, he cut inside as two Feyenoord defenders lost their footing on the rain-soaked surface, then calmly placed his finish beyond goalkeeper Tjark Ernst.
Barcelona’s early goal arrived after a dramatic change in conditions around the stadium. Days of intense heat in Barcelona gave way to a storm shortly before the match, with heavy rain falling across the pitch and supporters seeking cover. The downpour had eased by the early stages of the first half, but the slippery ground had already played a part in the opening breakthrough.
Flick made five alterations from the team that overwhelmed Valencia in La Liga on Sunday. However, he retained his key attacking figures in Yamal and Raphinha, while new signing Rodri also remained in the starting line-up.
Barcelona turn early control into a decisive lead
Adeyemi, selected in place of Anthony Gordon, made it 2-0 with a finish of real quality. From outside the box, he curled a powerful effort beyond Ernst to give Barcelona an early cushion and leave Feyenoord facing an uphill task.
The visitors did show flashes of threat. Anis Hadj Moussa tested Joan Garcia at his near post, but the Barcelona goalkeeper was alert enough to turn the effort away. That moment proved to be one of Feyenoord’s limited opportunities to unsettle the home side.
Barcelona continued to create chances at the other end. Joao Cancelo beat Givairo Read and struck the outside of the post, coming close to adding another before the interval.
Raphinha eventually delivered Barcelona’s third goal before the hour. Pedri supplied a precisely weighted pass through the Feyenoord defence, allowing the forward to run on and finish clinically. It was another example of the understanding Barcelona are developing between their midfield creators and their reshaped attacking line.
Feyenoord briefly believed they had cut the deficit immediately afterwards when Nacho Ferri finished from close range. A VAR check, however, identified an offside in the build-up and the goal was ruled out.
Yamal and Jesus add to the scoreline
Barcelona’s substitutes maintained the pressure. Fermin Lopez saw an effort diverted wide before Yamal struck the fourth goal. His free-kick made its way through the wall and into the net, adding another highlight to a performance in which the young attacker remained a constant danger.
Feyenoord introduced Shaqueel van Persie, the 19-year-old son of former Netherlands international Robin van Persie, as they searched for a way back into the match. The Dutch side did eventually earn a consolation goal when Steijn escaped the attention of Jules Kounde and met Goncalo Borges’ dangerous low delivery at the far post.
That strike was the only significant disappointment on an otherwise convincing Barcelona night. Their response was swift and decisive, with Jesus sealing the 5-1 result. The Brazilian forward glanced a header into the net from Yamal’s cross, marking his first goal since his summer move from Arsenal.
A strong beginning for Flick’s side
For Barcelona, the result offered more than three points. It continued the momentum built during an unbeaten start across domestic and European competition, while also underlining the depth of attacking options available to Flick.
Raphinha’s transformation into a central striker has been especially important. His movement, sharp finishing and ability to attack space gave Feyenoord repeated problems, while Yamal’s creativity and set-piece threat provided another route to goal. Pedri’s contribution to the third goal also showed the value of Barcelona’s midfield precision when opponents attempt to sit deep or play compactly.
Barcelona last lifted the Champions League trophy in 2015. There is a long campaign still to come, and one opening result cannot define it, but the performance against Feyenoord delivered the kind of confidence-building start Flick would have wanted. The Catalan club began the league phase with attacking fluency, a deep pool of contributors and a clear reminder of its ability to punish opponents when space appears.
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