Barcelona Thrashes Bayern Munich in Champions League Blockbuster

Raphinha delivered a sensational hat-trick as Barcelona thrashed Bayern Munich 4-1 in a thrilling Champions League group stage encounter on Wednesday. Barcelona, who had lost their previous six matches against Bayern, dominated the six-time European champions at the Olympic Stadium. Robert Lewandowski also found the net for the Catalan side, while Bayern’s Harry Kane scored for the visitors.

Hansi Flick, the coach who famously led Bayern to an 8-2 demolition of Barcelona in 2020, was in charge of the Spanish side this time, guiding them to a commanding victory that signals their potential to win the Champions League for the first time since 2015.

The defeat leaves Bayern struggling, with just one win from their opening three group games, while Barcelona, with two victories, sit comfortably near the top of the group standings.

Reflecting on the win, Raphinha told *Movistar*, “This game could easily have been a Champions League final. Winning in this way, in front of our fans, is special, and I’m leaving here very happy.” He added, “Securing the second victory in the Champions League was crucial, and now we need to focus on Saturday’s match.”

Barcelona, now set to face Real Madrid in *El Clasico* this weekend, used this dominant performance as a perfect warm-up. Flick noted the significance of the win, saying, “Winning a game like this is worth celebrating. It boosts our confidence going into Saturday.”

Barcelona wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, with Raphinha putting them ahead in under a minute. The Brazilian, captaining the side on his 100th appearance since joining from Leeds, calmly dribbled past Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer to score.

Bayern responded aggressively, and after having a goal disallowed for offside, Harry Kane equalized in the 18th minute, finishing with an acrobatic strike from Serge Gnabry’s cross.

However, Barcelona soon regained control. Fermin Lopez played a crucial role in setting up Lewandowski for Barcelona’s second goal, before Raphinha added a third with a stunning individual effort, driving into the box and beating Neuer with a precise shot.

Raphinha completed his hat-trick early in the second half, brilliantly controlling Lamine Yamal’s pass and firing a powerful shot into the bottom corner. Bayern coach Vincent Kompany responded with four substitutions, bringing on the likes of Jamal Musiala and Kingsley Coman, but Barcelona’s fans had already begun celebrating, chanting as their team passed the ball around.

“For the fans, this was revenge,” said Raphinha, referencing past defeats to Bayern. “As a fan, I suffered through those games too.” At full-time, the Brazilian winger was lifted into the air by his teammates, proudly clutching the match ball.

Barcelona, who have not reached the Champions League semi-finals since 2019, are starting to believe that Flick can restore their place among Europe’s elite. Meanwhile, Bayern, semi-finalists last season, were left to reflect on a heavy defeat. Kompany acknowledged the effort from his players but admitted, “In key moments, we were outplayed, and that’s why the result is so harsh.”