Barcelona began their Champions League campaign in emphatic fashion on Wednesday, sweeping aside Feyenoord 5-1 as Raphinha continued his remarkable start to the season with two goals.
Raphinha opened the scoring after just three minutes, cutting inside before calmly finishing past the Feyenoord defence. Karim Adeyemi then doubled the advantage with a superb long-range effort that curled beyond goalkeeper Tjark Ernst.
Barcelona continued to dominate and Raphinha struck again before the hour, racing on to a perfectly weighted pass from Pedri before finding the net.
Lamine Yamal added a fourth with a free-kick that found its way through the Feyenoord wall, while substitute Gabriel Jesus completed the rout with a glancing header from Yamal’s cross. It was Jesus’ first goal since moving to Barcelona from Arsenal this summer.
Feyenoord did manage a consolation through Sem Steijn, who finished from close range after Goncalo Borges delivered a low cross. The Dutch side had earlier seen a goal ruled out for offside following a VAR review.
The result means Barcelona have won all five of their matches this season and have scored five goals in four of those games.
Raphinha has also quickly adapted to his new role as a central attacker following the departures of Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres. The Brazil international now has eight goals in five appearances.
“Playing in front of our fans, we always have to show perfect football, or nearly perfect,” Raphinha told Movistar. “With the support of the fans, it is a lot easier.”
Barcelona made five changes from their weekend win over Valencia, but Hansi Flick retained Raphinha, Yamal and new signing Rodri in the starting XI.
The hosts survived an early threat from Anis Hadj Moussa before Joan Garcia made a smart save at his near post. Joao Cancelo also came close to scoring when his effort struck the outside of the post.
Feyenoord introduced Shaqueel van Persie, son of former Netherlands striker Robin van Persie, but could not prevent Barcelona from adding to their lead.
Barcelona last won the Champions League in 2015, now have an ideal start to their latest European campaign.
