Yamal and Raphinha Strike Twice as Barcelona Thrash Alavés 6-1 to Go Top

Barcelona produced their most emphatic statement of the season on Saturday night, sweeping Alavés aside 6-1 at Spotify Camp Nou to climb back to the summit of LaLiga. The win was also a response to recent defeats against Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid, and Hansi Flick's side never looked in danger once Raphinha opened the scoring after just eight minutes, finishing off a move started by Fermín López. Fermín doubled the lead himself in the 23rd minute, rifling home after a superb pass from Lamine Yamal, and Raphinha curled in his second four minutes before half-time after Fermín won possession in midfield. Yamal then drilled a low shot into the bottom corner in first-half stoppage time to make it 4-0 at the break. The teenager was not finished, chipping home a second in the 64th minute after a pass from substitute Gabriel Jesus, with a VAR check confirming the goal. Anthony Gordon, on for Yamal, raced clear to chip a sixth in the 81st minute before Mariano Díaz pulled one back for Alavés three minutes later. Yamal's brace took him to double figures in both goals and assists before November, a feat no player has managed since Lionel Messi.