Barcelona 4-1 Bayern Munich: Raphinha scores hat-trick as Catalans dismantle Bundesliga giants ahead of El Clasico – despite Harry Kane’s first half goal
- Barcelona captain Raphinha received a standing ovation after his hat-trick
- Robert Lewandowski scored against his old club in a dominant win
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Barcelona winger Raphinha received a standing ovation after his hat-trick helped the Catalan side complete a dominant 4-1 victory over Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
The Brazilian, who took over as Barcelona captain after Marc-André ter Stegen’s injury, gave the home team a perfect start to the evening in the Olympic Stadium.
Raphinha opened the scoring in the opening minute after being sent through on goal, before rounding Manuel Neuer and finishing into an empty net.
England captain Harry Kane saw an effort disallowed for the visitors, but leveled the match in the 18th minute by volleying in a cross from Serge Gnarby.
Bayern were chased by their former striker Robert Lewandowski, who restored Barcelona’s lead in the 36th minute.
Barcelona captain Raphinha scored a brilliant hat-trick in a 4-1 win against Bayern Munich
Raphinha had surrounded Manuel Neuer to give Barcelona the lead in the opening minute
Harry Kane had equalized for Bayern, but the Bundesliga giants were blown away by the hosts
Lewandowski curled into an empty net from close range after Fermin Lopez beat Neuer with a loose ball, with Bayern complaining of a foul in the build-up.
The Polish striker chose not to celebrate against his former team.
Raphinha gave Barcelona a 3-1 lead on the stroke of half-time, with the former Leeds star cutting in from the left wing before firing past Neuer.
The Brazilian completed his hat-trick on his 100th appearance for the club in the early stages of the second half.
Barcelona again exposed Bayern’s high line, with Lamine Yamal playing through Raphinha, who found the bottom corner with a driven effort over Neuer.
The in-form winger received a standing ovation with 15 minutes to go as Barcelona’s attention turned to El Clasico against Real Madrid this weekend.
Barcelona’s victory continued their impressive start under Hansi Flick, with the Catalan giants taking seven points from a possible nine in the new Champions League.
Robert Lewandowski restored Barcelona’s lead but refused to celebrate against his old club
Raphinha struck again either side of the break before receiving a standing ovation
The former Leeds winger was carried by his teammates after collecting the match ball
The hat-trick came in his 100th start for the club and ahead of El Clásico this weekend
Bayern Munich boss Vincent Kompany has overseen back-to-back defeats in the Champions League
Flick’s side go into the weekend clash against La Liga leaders Real Madrid on the back of nine wins in ten games, leaving them three points ahead of their arch-rivals.
A second consecutive Champions League defeat leaves Vincent Kompany’s Bayern Munich in 23rd place in the 36-team competition stage.
Bayern have suffered back-to-back defeats in the league after opening the season with a 9-2 win over Dinamo Zagreb.
