Raphinha bags hat trick as Barcelona score 7 to set record start

Barcelona sent records tumbling with a 7-2 thumping of Racing Santander to make it seven straight wins to start the season for the first time in the club's history.

Raphinha struck a hat trick, including two penalties, to continue his own prolific start to the campaign.

The Brazilian, flourishing in his new central striker role, now has nine goals in his first six LaLiga games, the most by any LaLiga player in that span since Lionel Messi also scored nine for Barcelona in 2017-18.

"I'm happy with the goals and the win, that's the most important thing," Raphinha told DAZN. "We have to keep improving, both individually and as a team. You can see the hunger from every player to always want more, to look for more goals and chances. It shows on the pitch just how close we are as a team."

Lamine Yamal also found the net for Barcelona, who have scored at least five goals in five of their seven matches across all competitions this season.

Hansi Flick's team has scored 28 goals in their first six league games, second only in LaLiga history behind the Sevilla team of 1940-41 (32).

Only one other team in LaLiga history has recorded six straight wins to start the season with a better goal differential than Barcelona's plus-22 -- Real Madrid in 1987-88, with a goal differential of plus-24.

"It's great to have a good start, but the most important thing is to have a great finish", Flick said after the game. "It gives us confidence, and I like the momentum and the intensity. Everyone presses, everyone is involved. How we work as a team is crucial."

João Cancelo began yet another Barcelona goal glut Wednesday with a spectacular 25-yard strike, and another long-range effort from the Portuguese defender deflected off Asier Villalibre and was credited as an own goal.

Gabriel Jesus scored in back-to-back appearances for his new club off the bench. Yamal had a goal disallowed for offside, missed a penalty and hit the post before finally scoring late for Barcelona.

Barça starting goalkeeper Joan García was forced off at halftime with a knee injury. Flick said he hopes García will be available for the next LaLiga match on Saturday.

Wojciech Szczesny took his place for the second half but struggled, committing a costly blunder inside his own area that allowed Racing to score their second goal after he was dispossessed in front of the net.

"Of course Tek [Szczesny} made a mistake, but we all make mistakes. It's part of life. Next time, he will do better. Believe me," Flick said. 

ESPN Research, The Associated Press and PA contributed to this report.