Rayo struck first
The Camp Nou shook for 12 minutes. Alvaro Garcia burst down the right and cut the ball back into the heart of the Barcelona box. Sergio Camello arrived and blasted past the keeper. 1-0 to Rayo Vallecano.
The response was swift. In the 19th minute, Raphinha skipped past a defender, drove into the box and drilled a low shot into the net. Level.
Two minutes later, Lamine Yamal pounced on a loose ball in the area. Left-foot strike, top right corner. Dani Cardenas guessed right but could not get there. Barca were 2-1 up after 21 minutes.
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Five goals and two braces
The second half started at the same pace. Anthony Gordon whipped in a dangerous cross from the right, and Florian Lejeune turned it into his own net in the 51st minute. 3-1.
Rayo would not go away. A header from a corner pulled the visitors back to 3-2 in the 59th minute. The tension lasted 12 minutes.
Raphinha took back control in the 71st minute, finishing off a Gordon backheel with only the keeper to beat. Then Yamal called for the ball outside the box in the 90th minute and curled a left-footer in at the near post. 5-2 at the final whistle.
Barca move ahead of Real on goal difference
Raphinha now has five goals in three games. He leads the La Liga scoring chart at this early stage of the season.
Barca and Real Madrid both sit on 9 points after three matches. The Catalans go top on goal difference. Hansi Flick’s side have not dropped a point yet.
Two goals conceded at home against a Rayo side playing without fear is still a warning sign. The attack is clicking. The defence, less so.
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