Three talking points from Barcelona 5-2 Sevilla as Raphinha bags hat-trick in big win

Camp Nou was fuller than usual on Sunday night after the club opened an additional section behind the goal and staged presidential elections, and the bumper crowd were rewarded with a statement 5-2 victory over Sevilla that keeps Barcelona within touching distance of Real Madrid at the top of the table. Here are the key take-aways from a pulsating evening in Catalonia.

1. Cancelo’s risk-reward act still tilts in Barça’s favour With Alejandro Balde still working his way back to peak sharpness, Joao Cancelo again filled in on the left and once again provided the incision that has become his trademark. The Portuguese defender over-commits on occasion, but his willingness to drive inside or outside keeps full-backs guessing, and his crossing accuracy remains elite. At 30, the solution is short-term, yet for now his creativity outweighs the gamble.

2. Captain Raphinha leads the charge Handed the armband, Raphinha responded with a hat-trick and the kind of relentless pressing display that defined Barça’s approach without the ball. Beyond the goals, he chased lost causes, forced turnovers and set the emotional tempo for a side that has occasionally struggled for intensity this season. It was the Brazilian’s third league treble in blaugrana colours and arguably his most complete.

3. Midfield depth offers encouragement Gavi’s late cameo after a long lay-off lifted supporters and coach Hansi Flick alike, but the engine room was already purring. Pedri and 17-year-old Marc Bernal controlled possession, Dani Olmo delivered arguably his best 90 minutes since signing, and second-half introductions Fermin Lopez and Marc Casado added energy that snuffed out any Sevilla revival. When Barça’s midfield functions, the high defensive line looks far less vulnerable.

The win maintains Barça’s perfect 2025-26 home record and keeps pressure on Madrid, who had dispatched their weekend assignment 24 hours earlier. Defensive issues remain, yet Sunday’s performance showed why Joan Laporta’s board still believes a title charge is realistic.