FC Barcelona made it three wins from three games in La Liga after an action-packed Monday night encounter with Rayo Vallecano at Spotify Camp Nou.

the game as it happened

Hansi Flick's side had to come from behind, saw their two-goal cushion reduced to one, but ultimately had too much firepower for the visitors, with Raphinha and Lamine Yamal both scoring twice and Anthony Gordon also playing a crucial role.

From behind to ahead in two minutes

Barça had started brightly, with Lamine and Raphinha lively from the off and the chances quick to come. But just as the home side appeared to be taking control, Rayo landed the first blow. Álvaro García escaped down the left and cut the ball back for Camello, who got there ahead of Christensen and fired past Joan Garcia. It was the first time Barça had conceded in the league this season.

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The setback only seemed to spark Barça into life. The pressure intensified, and in the 19th minute, the equaliser arrived, Raphinha cutting inside Pathé Ciss before drilling a low shot across the Rayo keeper and into the net.

The celebrations had barely died down when Barça struck again. This time it was Lamine, collecting the ball on the edge of the area and unleashing a tremendous left-footed strike into the top corner. A spectacular first goal of the season, and a historic one too: his 50th for the first team, a landmark no Barça player has ever reached at a younger age.

Gordon makes his mark

Back from behind in the blink of an eye, Barça were now buzzing. Pedri was running the show in midfield, young Xavi Espart was popping up everywhere and Gordon repeatedly drove at the Rayo defence.

Bernal came close to adding a third with a fierce effort that Cárdenas tipped over, and there was still time for what looked like a third before the break, Kounde turning in the rebound after another Gordon effort, only for the flag to cut the celebrations short.

Barça didn't have to wait much longer. Six minutes after the restart, a slick team move released the increasingly influential Gordon, whose low ball across goal was turned into his own net by Lejeune. 

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Rayo respond, Raphinha strikes again

But Rayo were far from finished. Eight minutes later, the same Camello who had stunned the Camp Nou in the first half was back for more, rising at the near post to meet a corner and steering his header beyond Joan Garcia.

What had briefly looked like a comfortable Barça advantage was a one-goal game all over again. It was Raphinha who re-established the two-goal cushion. Kounde's long ball started the move, Gordon completed the set-up with a superb back-heel and the Brazilian finished things off in trademark style.

Lamine has the final word

Rayo kept pushing, but that just gave Barça more space to deliver the killer blow. And right on 90 minutes, Lamine did just that. The 19-year-old opened up his body on the edge of the area and guided a beautifully measured finish inside the post to complete his brace and put the finishing touch to a memorable night at Spotify Camp Nou.

It was also a special evening for Egyptian youngster Hamza Abdelkarim, the top scorer of the preseason, who came on to make his competitive debut for the club in the closing minutes of the match.

Next up for Barça is a trip to Valencia this Sunday at 4.15pm CEST.

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