Barcelona bounced back from consecutive setbacks by demolishing Alaves 6-1 on Saturday at Camp Nou, reclaiming the lead in La Liga ahead of Atletico Madrid. Hansi Flick's men responded emphatically after suffering a UEFA Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain and a domestic Clasico loss to Real Madrid the previous weekend.
How did Barcelona secure the victory?
Brazilian forward Raphinha and teenage sensation Lamine Yamal each netted twice, while Fermin Lopez and substitute Anthony Gordon added to the tally. Mariano Diaz scored a late consolation for the Basque visitors. The commanding win re-established Barcelona's two-point advantage over Atletico Madrid at the summit of the Spanish top flight, following Atletico's earlier 2-0 victory against Levante.
Despite a defensive injury crisis that forced manager Hansi Flick to deploy midfielder Frenkie de Jong at centre-back and debutant Brian Farinas at right-back, the champions dominated proceedings from the outset. Raphinha opened the scoring in the eighth minute by converting a pass from Lopez, who had been set up by Pedri.
What were the key match moments?
Lopez doubled the advantage in the 23rd minute when his acute cross-shot fortuitously found the far corner. Raphinha then registered his 15th league goal of the campaign before Yamal added a fourth with a low drive just before halftime. Yamal grabbed his second and Barcelona's fifth after the break, chipping the goalkeeper following a pass from substitute Gabriel Jesus. Gordon rounded off the scoring with a similar finish before Diaz scored for Alaves.
Earlier in the day, Atletico Madrid recorded their seventh consecutive league victory with a 2-0 win over Levante, courtesy of goals from Alejandro Grimaldo and Giuliano Simeone. The result briefly put Diego Simeone's side at the top of the table before Barcelona's emphatic response restored their lead.