Lamine Yamal finally found the net and with his two goals joined the wave of optimism at Camp Nou. The joy of the number 10, the enthusiasm with which he celebrated the 2-1, after a few days of sadness and sorrow, more bad faces than defiant gestures, seemed like a release for a footballer who is in a hurry to regain the status of Ballon d’Or contender. Lamine scored very early and disappeared until the end to close the match with a curved shot after an assist from Adeyemi: 5-2. The standout, the most consistent and least erratic player, was again Raphinha, a double scorer — now with five goals — while Gordon found reward for his generosity with an own goal by Lejeune. Gordon and Raphinha today lead Barça’s offense: 12 goals in three matches to maintain the top of the League. The defense, on the other hand, trembled again, like in the old days, scared by Rayo’s bravery and Camello’s quality.
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The Madrid striker had as much impact on the match as Lamine. The Barça winger appeared determined, insistent with the outside of his left foot, very sharp and strong in his shot, more concerned with the assist than the goal that was anticipated in Cárdenas’ net. The match was an offensive whirlwind from Barça and if there was news from Rayo it was because, surprisingly, they scored a goal: 0-1. Álvaro slipped down the left wing, poorly defended by Koundé, and his cross was masterfully headed in by Camello. A great goal that ended Joan García’s unbeaten run. Koundé’s usual lapse as right-back contrasted with the clarity of left-back Xavi Espart. The qualified and versatile youth player was the perfect link for Pedri’s pass and Raphinha’s reception at 1-1. The Brazilian, convinced he is Barça’s number nine, dodged Pathé Ciss and scored his fourth goal under the gaze of newly signed Gabriel Jesus. A couple of minutes later came the comeback with an excellent goal from Lamine. The striker directed the ball passed by Bernal and nailed it in the left corner of the goal, near post, nothing like his usual curling goals, as if wanting to show a new version of Lamine.
𝑷𝙄𝑪𝙃𝑰𝘾𝑯𝙄 𝙍𝑨𝙋𝑯𝙄𝑵𝙃𝑨 🇧🇷🎯
𝑫𝑬𝑳𝑰𝑪𝑨𝑻𝑬𝑺𝑺𝑬𝑵 𝑨𝑵𝑻𝑯𝑶𝑵𝒀 𝑮𝑶𝑹𝑫𝑶𝑵 🏴 🎩#LALIGAenDAZN ⚽ pic.twitter.com/7dqZwVPPxURead more Petro begins his first foreign visit as former Colombian president in Mexico
— DAZN España (@DAZN_ES) August 31, 2026
The two goals tempered Barça’s intensity, voracity, and speed, as insatiable as anxious, unable to deliver the final pass and shot on goal until 2-1. The ball traveled very fast, the collective pressure was high and synchronized, and their match pace gave no respite to Rayo, who only found air in Álvaro’s runs that broke Koundé. The blaugranas, however, couldn’t find the net nor succeed in the final pass in their continuous and crowded entries into the small area due to their haste and the weakness in the shot of the generous Gordon. Everyone seemed determined for Raphinha to score. The Brazilian’s and Lamine’s accuracy overcame a Rayo that never lost its personality without Batalla, Isi, or Ratiu.
Beñat San José’s boys excelled in pressing after the break and did not forgive Christensen and Espar’s inattention on a corner headed by Camello at 3-2. The 3-1 also had a Rayo player protagonist, Lejeune, who scored an own goal after one of the many plays by the agile Gordon. The substitutions, and Rodri’s entry, did not settle Barça, not even after Raphinha scored his fifth goal with Gordon’s involvement: 4-2. A goal that secured the result without diminishing Rayo’s competitiveness. Joan García was as tested as Cárdenas in an exchange of blows that ended in the 90th minute with Lamine’s goal. Barça’s offensive festival was missing the number 10’s goals. The goals again become the reference for Flick’s team.
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| Standings | PT | PJ | PG | PE | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 9 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
2 | 9 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
3 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
4 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
5 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Standings | PT | PJ | PG | PE | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
16 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
17 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| 18 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
19 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
20 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
