#la-liga-standings

#la-liga-standings

With three goals against Sevilla, Raphinha led the way for Barcelona in style and netted a special hat-trick at a crucial juncture in the season. The past few weeks have not been easy for the Barcelona captain as he has struggled in front of goal and been far from his usual self in attack. While the work rate has never really been in question, there was always a feeling that he was lacking the decisiveness in the final third.

It was a dominant display from the Catalans, with Raphinha notably scoring a hat-trick, helped by two early penalties won by the team. Joao Cancelo also scored his first goal since returning to Barcelona and was one of the best performers in a night where coach Hansi Flick resorted to multiple changes on account of the upcoming second leg clash against Newcastle United.

There were three goals, three more disallowed, a missed penalty, an overturned penalty, a red card and a touchline scuffle as Real Madrid edged out Barcelona in a chaotic El Clasico to move five points clear at the top of La Liga. The hosts were deserving winners after a sparkling display to register their first victory over their arch rivals since April 2024. Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham were the goalscorers for Madrid either side of a Fermin Lopez leveller.