Yamal and Raphinha Brace as Barcelona Beat Rayo 5-2 for Third Straight La Liga Win

Barcelona continued their strong start to the La Liga season with a convincing 5-2 victory over Rayo Vallecano at Camp Nou on Monday, securing their third consecutive league win.

Raphinha and Lamine Yamal both scored twice, while Barcelona's other goal came through an own goal from Rayo defender Luzin. Sergio Camello scored twice for the visitors.

Rayo stunned the home side in the 12th minute when Camello finished a fast counter-attack following Alvaro Garcia's cutback from the left.

Barcelona quickly responded. In the 19th minute, Raphinha collected Xavi Espart's pass, cut inside the box and fired a low left-footed shot into the net to level the score.

Just moments later, Barcelona moved ahead. Rayo failed to clear the ball, allowing Yamal to receive a pass from Marc Bernal before firing a powerful left-footed effort into the top corner. It was Yamal's first goal of the campaign.

Barcelona appeared to have added another goal before halftime when Jules Kounde finished from close range after Anthony Gordon's shot was saved. However, the goal was ruled out for offside following a VAR review.

The hosts extended their advantage in the 51st minute through an unfortunate own goal. Luzin attempted to clear Gordon's pass from the left but instead sent the ball into his own net.

Rayo refused to give up and reduced the deficit in the 59th minute. Camello scored his second of the night with a header from a corner to make it 3-2.

Barcelona then regained control. Substitute Fermin Lopez came close to scoring, but his effort was cleared off the goal line by a Rayo defender.

Two minutes later, Raphinha restored Barcelona's two-goal advantage. He collected the ball following a clever backheel from Gordon inside the box and calmly finished to make it 4-2.

Yamal completed the scoring in the final minute of normal time. After helping build the attack from midfield, he received the ball outside the box and found the bottom corner with a low shot to complete his brace.

The victory takes Barcelona to nine points from three matches and puts them at the top of the La Liga table on goal difference. Real Madrid also have nine points but sit second.

Barcelona have now scored 12 goals in their opening three league matches, with Raphinha responsible for five of them as the defending champions continue their title defence in impressive fashion.