Barcelona set La Liga record with seventh straight win under Flick

Barcelona Make History with Seven Straight Wins as Raphinha Hat-trick Destroys Racing Santander

Hansi Flick became the first manager in Barcelona's history to win seven consecutive competitive matches at the start of a season after his side demolished Racing Santander 7-2 at Camp Nou on Wednesday. The German coach's men have now scored 33 goals across those seven games, averaging nearly five per match, and re-established a three-point advantage over Real Madrid at the summit of La Liga.

Raphinha led the onslaught with a hat-trick, two penalties and a clinical finish from open play, to extend his lead as the league's top scorer with nine goals. João Cancelo announced Barcelona's intentions with a spectacular long-range strike, before another of his efforts deflected in off Asier Villalibre for an own goal. Gabriel Jesus and teenage sensation Lamine Yamal completed the rout, though Maguette Gueye and Yassir Zabiri provided Racing Santander with brief moments of consolation in what proved a one-sided encounter.

Lightning Start Sets Tone for Camp Nou Demolition

With lightning flashing above Camp Nou, Barcelona began at breakneck speed and seized the lead in the eighth minute through Cancelo's thunderbolt. The Portuguese defender crashed a 25-yard piledriver off the underside of the crossbar to give the hosts an early advantage.

Lamine Yamal had threatened within the first 20 seconds, and Dani Olmo dragged an effort wide before Cancelo's spectacular opener. Karim Adeyemi then failed to beat Julen Agirrezabala in a one-versus-one situation, and Olmo chipped wide after Yamal played a wonderful ball into his path with the outside of his right foot.

Barcelona's second arrived from the penalty spot after Raphinha was brought down by Pedro Filipe, who was perhaps fortunate to avoid a red card as he raked the Brazilian's ankle. The winger sent Agirrezabala the wrong way, thrashing the spot-kick into the bottom right corner.

Brief Respite Before Barcelona Restore Control

Santander profited from their first shot on goal after 30 minutes when Gueye kept his composure at the end of a slick one-touch move, barging his way through to produce a neat finish that beat Joan García in goal. However, it proved only brief respite for the visitors.

Barcelona were quickly back in cruise control as Cancelo's 30-yard bullet flew in off Villalibre after 36 minutes, provoking the third goal with another long-range effort which deflected in to restore the two-goal cushion. Santander were then punished for a slack pass in midfield, and Rodri took advantage as Adeyemi and Olmo found space to set up Raphinha, who passed the ball into the corner. The Brazilian, thriving in the centre-forward role, bagged Barcelona's fourth after he was played in on goal by Olmo.

Filipe then brought down Adeyemi to concede a second penalty before halftime. Having switched penalty taker, Yamal stepped up only to see his kick lack the power to trouble Agirrezabala, who pushed the ball aside comfortably. Lamine Yamal should have added a fifth after the electric Adeyemi was brought down in the box, but the Santander goalkeeper saved his penalty.

Szczesny Error and Quick Response

Barcelona's reserve goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny replaced García at halftime after the Spain international appeared to hurt himself while slipping as he went to get the ball. Yamal hit a post after the break and later had a goal ruled out for offside, as the youngster suffered a more frustrating night than some of his colleagues.

Szczesny was caught dawdling on the ball to gift Zabiri a second for Santander after 65 minutes. The Polish goalkeeper tried and failed to dribble the ball in a dreadful error, with Zabiri tackling him to score.

Barcelona's fifth arrived almost immediately, with another penalty awarded after Iker Luque felled Adeyemi. This time Raphinha grabbed the ball to complete his hat-trick from the spot, extending his lead as the league's top goalscorer to nine goals.

Jesus and Yamal Complete the Rout

Gabriel Jesus, who had replaced his compatriot Raphinha, added the sixth with a sharp finish into the top corner 11 minutes from time after brilliant footwork and balance from Yamal put the Brazilian through. Jesus finished in style after being played in by Lamine Yamal.

Still, Barcelona were not done as Adeyemi waltzed through a tired Santander defence and roared down the left wing to set up Yamal for the goal his overall performance deserved, Barcelona's seventh and final strike of the night.

Flick Praises Team Momentum Despite Modest Assessment

After the final whistle, coach Hansi Flick spoke to the media, saying he liked the way his team played and was happy with the three points. "It's not easy to play against Racing," he said, despite the emphatic scoreline.

On winning the first seven games of the season, he said it was always good to start well, but what matters is how you finish. "It gives us confidence, and I like the momentum and the intensity. Everyone presses, everyone is involved. How we work as a team is crucial," Flick explained.

Despite the historic start, he expects Saturday's game against Sevilla to be anything but easy, warning it will be a difficult game and his side must be ready.

Flick Highlights Adeyemi's Impact and Potential

Flick also spoke about his compatriot Adeyemi, who won two penalties and set up the final goal. "He can improve and still needs to fully adapt to our way of playing, but he gives us a lot, as we saw today. I'm happy for him and I like what I see. He's a fun player and a good guy who gives everything on the pitch. His pace is incredible," the Barcelona coach said.

The victory means Barcelona have scored 33 goals this season at a rate of nearly five per game, establishing themselves as the most prolific attacking force in European football. The Catalans' three-point lead over Real Madrid at the top of La Liga represents their best start to a campaign, with Flick's high-intensity pressing style already yielding remarkable dividends just seven matches into his tenure.

Atlético Madrid Move Into Third

Elsewhere in La Liga, Atlético Madrid warmed up for Saturday's derby with Real with a 4-0 home win over Osasuna. Jonathan David, Lee Kang-in, Robin Le Normand and Alex Baena were on target in a one-sided contest at the Metropolitano as Diego Simeone's side moved into third, five points behind Barcelona.

The result means Atlético have positioned themselves firmly in the title race, though they trail the leaders by a significant margin after Barcelona's relentless winning streak. Diego Simeone's men will face their city rivals Real Madrid in a crucial derby clash that could reshape the top of the table.

Barcelona's attacking prowess has been the standout feature of the early La Liga season, with Raphinha's nine goals leading the way and contributions coming from across the squad. The Brazilian's versatility in playing as a centre-forward has unlocked a new dimension to Barcelona's attack, while the pace and skill of Adeyemi and the creativity of Yamal provide Flick with multiple attacking weapons.

The historic seven-match winning streak has established Barcelona as early favourites for the La Liga title, though Flick's measured approach suggests he remains focused on maintaining standards rather than celebrating early-season success. His emphasis on team pressing, intensity and collective work has transformed Barcelona into a formidable unit that overwhelms opponents with both quality and relentlessness.