BARCELONA, Spain — Raphinha scored a hat trick, including 2 penalties, as Barcelona beat Sevilla 5-2 and restored its 4-point lead over Real Madrid at the top of the Spanish league.
The win was Barcelona’s 4th straight in league play and came before the 2nd leg of its Champions League last 16 tie against Newcastle. Barcelona drew 1-1 at Newcastle in the first leg after Lamine Yamal converted a penalty with the last kick.
Real Madrid had beaten Elche 4-1 to cut the gap to 1 point before Barcelona responded against Sevilla.
João Cancelo won the first penalty after being fouled in the box, and Raphinha converted with a Panenka that beat Odysseas Vlachodimos. Cancelo, back at Barcelona on loan from Saudi Arabia club Al-Hilal, earned another penalty in the 18th minute, and Raphinha scored again despite Vlachodimos getting a touch to the shot.
Dani Olmo made it 3-0 in the 38th minute from Marc Bernal’s cross before Oso pulled a goal back for Sevilla before halftime. Raphinha completed the hat trick after the break with a deflected shot that looped over the goalkeeper.
Cancelo later added Barcelona’s 5th goal, while Djibril Sow scored for Sevilla in added time.
Gavi also returned for Barcelona after more than 200 days out following a right knee meniscus operation. He entered in the 82nd minute for Raphinha and was loudly applauded when he came on and again whenever he touched the ball.
Elsewhere in the Spanish league, Mallorca came from behind to beat Espanyol 2-1, Real Betis drew 1-1 with Celta Vigo, and Real Sociedad defeated Osasuna 3-1 behind a brace from Striker Gonçalo Guedes.