Barcelona returned to winning ways in emphatic fashion with a 6-1 victory over Alaves at Camp Nou, regaining top spot in La Liga. The victory allowed the defending champions to bounce back following consecutive defeats against Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid.
Raphinha and Yamal Build Command in First Half
Manager Hansi Flick retained complete confidence in his squad despite their recent setbacks, and the team responded with a commanding opening period. Barcelona broke the deadlock just eight minutes into the match when Pedri delivered a pass using the outside of his boot to Fermin Lopez, who set up Raphinha to score via the post. Alaves created several quick opportunities to equalize, but Abderrahmane Rebbach dragged his shot wide, Angel Perez saw his strike saved by Joan Garcia, and a Lucas Boye header was blocked by Rodri.
Alaves were swiftly punished for failing to convert their chances. Lopez doubled Barcelona’s advantage from a tight angle near the byline, beating Antonio Sivera with a swerving shot into the far corner. Although Raphinha sent a shot over the crossbar shortly after and Sivera turned away an effort from Lamine Yamal, Barcelona continued to press. Four minutes before the interval, Raphinha controlled a reverse pass from Lopez and finished calmly to register his second goal. In first-half stoppage time, Yamal made it 4-0 by placing Joao Cancelo’s lay-off into the bottom-right corner from the edge of the box.
Second-Half Goals Complete Convincing Win
Karim Adeyemi missed an early chance to make it 5-0 after the break before Yamal netted his second goal of the match past the hour mark. Receiving a pass from Gabriel Jesus, Yamal chipped the ball over Sivera, with the goal confirmed following a VAR review for offside. Yamal was substituted shortly afterward to preserve him for European competition.
His replacement, Anthony Gordon, scored the sixth goal in similar fashion, sprinting down the left wing to reach a pass from Rodri before lofting his shot into the net. Alaves scored a late consolation goal through Mariano Diaz, who found the bottom-left corner against an injury-hit Barcelona defense.
The result lifted Barcelona back above Atletico Madrid to the top of the league standings after Atletico had briefly taken first place following a 2-0 win over Levante. Barcelona next turn their attention to a UEFA Champions League match against Aston Villa before returning to domestic action against Atletico Madrid.
