Raphinha & Lamine Yamal score twice as Barcelona beat Rayo Vallecano

Raphinha and Lamine Yamal both scored twice as Barcelona secured a 5-2 victory over Rayo Vallecano, claiming their third consecutive win in La Liga. Brazil's Raphinha has become the first player to net five goals in the first three games of a La Liga season since Lionel Messi achieved the feat for Barcelona back in 2017. The 19-year-old Yamal's brace took the young player past the 50-goal milestone for the club.

Despite taking an early lead, Rayo Vallecano appeared to have the upper hand in the opening match of a nine-day La Liga sprint after Sergio Camello's first-time effort put the visitors ahead. However, Raphinha equalised with impressive footwork before slotting the ball into the bottom corner. Yamal then broke the deadlock with a powerful drive from just inside the box, putting Barcelona in front.

Florian Lejeune inadvertently scored his own goal, turning a cross from former Newcastle player Anthony Gordon into his own net. Camello's header provided Rayo with a brief respite, but Gordon's backheel found Raphinha, sealing a 4-2 win for Barcelona.

A fifth goal in stoppage time saw Lamine Yamal complete his remarkable haul, scoring his 51st goal for Barcelona from 20 yards out with a cushioned effort. As of now, Barcelona and Real Madrid are tied at the top of La Liga with nine points from three games, while Rayo Vallecano sits at the bottom with just one point.