Barcelona, Sep 17 (V7N)- FC Barcelona produced a dominant attacking display at Spotify Camp Nou, thrashing Racing Santander 7-2 in La Liga on Wednesday (September 16) to maintain their perfect start to the season.

Raphinha was the star of the night, scoring a hat-trick, while João Cancelo, Gabriel Jesus and Lamine Yamal also found the net. Racing's Asier Villalibre added an own goal as Barcelona recorded their seventh consecutive competitive victory under Hansi Flick.

Barcelona took the lead in the eighth minute when Cancelo finished a move involving Yamal. Raphinha then doubled the advantage from the penalty spot in the 25th minute.

Racing responded five minutes later through Maguette Gueye, but Barcelona restored their two-goal advantage in the 36th minute when a Cancelo effort took a deflection off Villalibre and went into the net.

Raphinha added his second in the 42nd minute after receiving a pass from Dani Olmo. Yamal then had a chance to add another from the penalty spot in stoppage time, but Racing goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala saved the effort.

Barcelona goalkeeper Joan García was replaced by Wojciech Szczęsny after the break because of an injury. Racing reduced the deficit to 4-2 through substitute Yassir Zabiri in the 65th minute.

Raphinha completed his hat-trick two minutes later by converting another penalty. Gabriel Jesus extended Barcelona's lead in the 79th minute before Yamal completed the scoring in the 89th.

Barcelona dominated possession and created a huge volume of chances. According to Sofascore, the hosts enjoyed 69 percent possession, registered 30 shots to Racing's five and won 18 corners without conceding one.

The victory also gave Flick a club record: he became the first Barcelona manager to win the opening seven competitive matches of a season. Barcelona moved three points clear of second-placed Real Madrid at the top of La Liga.

Raphinha was named the outstanding performer, receiving a perfect 10 rating from Sofascore after his three-goal performance. Yamal and Olmo also played influential roles in Barcelona's emphatic victory.

END/SMA/AJ