Yamal and Raphinha each score twice as Barcelona climb above Real Madrid in La Liga

Lamine Yamal and Raphinha each scored twice as Barcelona beat Rayo Vallecano 5-2 at the Spotify Camp Nou to move above Real Madrid at the top of La Liga on goal difference. Anthony Gordon, making an impact from wide, contributed two assists in a commanding home display that extended the Catalan club’s unbeaten run at home to 21 consecutive victories.

Rayo, searching for their first win of the season, made an encouraging start when Sergio Camello hammered home a cutback from Álvaro García on the left in the 12th minute. The lead lasted barely six minutes. Raphinha levelled with a composed finish in the 18th minute, and Yamal restored Barcelona’s momentum just 90 seconds later — cutting in from the right in his trademark fashion and driving a powerful left-footed effort into the roof of the net.

The hosts extended their advantage after the interval when Florian Lejeune turned Gordon’s cutback into his own net for 3-1. Camello kept Rayo’s hopes alive with a well-taken header to make it 3-2, but Barcelona quickly reasserted control. Raphinha swept home a fourth before Yamal rounded off the scoring with a composed low shot from just outside the box in the 89th minute.

The result lifts Hansi Flick’s side to the summit of La Liga, edging ahead of Real Madrid on goal difference. Rayo, meanwhile, remain third from bottom after a fifth defeat of the campaign.