Barcelona 6-1 Alaves: Raphinha and Lamine Yamal score twice as Barca bounce back from Clasico loss

Barcelona responded to their Clasico defeat in emphatic fashion on Saturday, thrashing Alaves 6-1 to strengthen their position at the top of La Liga. Raphinha and Lamine Yamal each scored twice, Fermin Lopez added another, and substitute Anthony Gordon claimed his first league goal for the club. Hansi Flick's side now have 30 points from 11 games.

Four goals before half-time

The game was effectively over by the interval. Raphinha opened the scoring in the eighth minute, and Fermin Lopez made it 2-0 midway through the half.

Raphinha then added his second just before the break, finishing after a pass from Lopez. Yamal followed in first-half stoppage time to send Barcelona in 4-0 ahead.

Alaves goalkeeper Antonio Sivera had made an important save from Yamal earlier in the half, but he could do little to stem the flow once Barcelona settled into their rhythm.

Substitutes make their mark

Yamal scored his second soon after the hour, from a pass by substitute Gabriel Jesus. The goal was initially flagged for offside before being given after a review.

Another replacement, Anthony Gordon, then scored from a Rodri assist in the 81st minute to make it 6-0. Alaves, coached by Quique Sanchez Flores, got a late consolation through Mariano Diaz after some loose Barcelona defending.

Flick was without a long list of players, including Jules Kounde, Eric Garcia, Andreas Christensen, Dani Olmo, Roony Bardghji and Xavi Espart. Those absences forced him to rely on his squad, and the substitutes responded: both Jesus and Gordon were directly involved in goals after coming on.

Raphinha and Yamal lead the way

The two wide forwards again showed why they are central to Flick's attack. Raphinha's early goal settled any nerves after the Clasico, and his second, created by Fermin Lopez, came at a moment when Alaves were trying to regroup before the interval. Lopez himself was involved in much of Barcelona's best play, scoring once and supplying an assist.

Yamal, meanwhile, was a constant threat down the right. His stoppage-time goal before the break effectively ended the contest, and his second-half strike, confirmed after the offside check, took his tally for the evening to two.

Clasico setback put behind them

The win came straight after Barcelona's only league defeat of the season, a 2-1 loss to Real Madrid in their previous match. That result had given their rivals renewed hope, but this performance underlined Barcelona's attacking depth.

La Liga standings

After Saturday's game, the top of La Liga reads:

• Barcelona: 30 points (10 wins, 1 defeat, from 11 games)
• Atletico Madrid: 28 points from 11 games
• Real Madrid: 24 points from 10 games

Barcelona are six points clear of Real Madrid, who have a game in hand. Alaves remain in mid-table on 12 points.

Key takeaways

• Barcelona beat Alaves 6-1 at home on Saturday, 31 October.
• Raphinha and Lamine Yamal both scored twice; Fermin Lopez and Anthony Gordon also scored.
• Barcelona led 4-0 at half-time.
• Gordon's goal was his first in La Liga for Barcelona.
• Barcelona lead La Liga on 30 points, two ahead of Atletico Madrid.

FAQ

Who scored for Barcelona against Alaves? Raphinha (2), Lamine Yamal (2), Fermin Lopez and Anthony Gordon. Mariano Diaz scored for Alaves.

Did Barcelona lose to Real Madrid before this game? Yes. Barcelona's previous league match was a 2-1 defeat to Real Madrid, their only league loss so far this season.

Who is top of La Liga? Barcelona lead with 30 points from 11 games, ahead of Atletico Madrid (28) and Real Madrid (24, with a game in hand).

Sources: ESPN, VAVEL