Barcelona player rating vs. Racing Santander: Raphinha leads the way

September 17, 2026 Pejuola Ransome 0 Comments

Barcelona made it six wins from six in LaLiga with a 7-2 win against Racing Santander at the Spotify Camp Nou.

Hansi Flick’s side did what they have done for most of this season: score a lot of goals and make life extremely difficult for their opponents. João Cancelo opened the scoring with a spectacular strike before Raphinha took over, scoring a first-half brace and completing his hat-trick from the penalty spot in the second half.

Cancelo added another long-range effort, while Gabriel Jesus and Lamine Yamal also got on the scoresheet.

It was not a perfect night defensively. Racing scored twice and there were moments when Barcelona’s back line looked less convincing than the attack. Still, when a team scores seven goals, there is usually plenty to like.

Here are our Barcelona player ratings from the 7-2 win over Racing Santander.

Joan García – 6.5/10

Joan García barely had enough work to make a proper assessment of his evening. Racing’s first goal gave him no real chance, and he was otherwise comfortable when called upon.

He was replaced at half-time after appearing to feel some discomfort. Hopefully, it is nothing serious because Barcelona will need their first-choice goalkeeper available for the tougher games ahead.

João Cancelo – 9/10

What a night for Cancelo. The Portuguese full-back scored two spectacular goals from outside the box and looked determined to make himself impossible to ignore.

His first opened the scoring with a brilliant strike that found the corner, while the second was another long-range effort that gave the goalkeeper little chance.

There were still some defensive lapses, particularly around Racing’s first goal, but it is difficult to complain too much about a defender who scores twice.

Cancelo was eventually substituted to a standing ovation.

Eric García – 7/10

Eric García was useful going forward and looked increasingly comfortable stepping into Barcelona’s attacking structure. He made overlapping runs, linked up well with Lamine Yamal and generally provided a passing option on the right.

Racing did find some joy down his side, so this was not a flawless defensive performance. But overall, he gave Flick another solid option at full-back.

Andreas Christensen – 6.5/10

Christensen came into the starting XI with Pau Cubarsí rested. He was composed defensively, although he could have reacted quicker during Racing’s first goal.

He also came close to scoring from a corner, which could have made the scoreline more ridiculous.

Gerard Martín – 6.5/10

There was nothing spectacular about Gerard Martín’s performance, but sometimes that is exactly what you want from a defender.

He stayed disciplined, made several useful defensive corrections and avoided making mistakes that would have given Racing a way back into the match.

Rodri – 8/10

Rodri continues to look more comfortable in Barcelona’s midfield. His ability to control the tempo gave Barcelona another layer of security behind their more attacking players. He was also important defensively, using his positioning and physicality to stop Racing from turning transitions into genuine problems.

He was substituted after just over an hour, with Barcelona already comfortably ahead.

Pedri – 8/10

After a relatively quiet game against Levante, Pedri looked much more like himself here. His passing between the lines was excellent, and his combination with Rodri gave Barcelona control in midfield.

His pass into Raphinha’s path also played a major role in the move that resulted in Barcelona’s second goal.

Dani Olmo – 8/10

Olmo was one of Barcelona’s more interesting attacking players despite not getting on the scoresheet. He repeatedly found pockets of space between Racing’s midfield and defence and was involved in several dangerous moves.

He also provided an excellent assist for Raphinha’s second goal. There were a couple of missed opportunities, but his overall performance was very good.

Karim Adeyemi – 8.5/10

Adeyemi did not score, but he was a nightmare for Racing’s defence. His pace caused problems throughout the match, particularly when Barcelona attacked in transition. He also played a role in creating chances and repeatedly forced Racing’s defenders to turn and run towards their own goal.

The goal was missing, but his influence was obvious.

Lamine Yamal – 8/10

This was one of those strange Lamine Yamal performances where he was clearly dangerous but somehow did not score until very late.

He missed a penalty, hit the post and had another goal ruled out for offside. But he still managed to contribute an assist and eventually got his goal in the 89th minute.

Raphinha – 10/10

The obvious Man of the Match. Raphinha scored three goals, including two penalties, and was involved in almost everything Barcelona did well in the final third.

His first penalty was confidently dispatched. He then found the net again before half-time, before taking responsibility for Barcelona’s third penalty after Yamal had missed one earlier.

Three goals in 69 minutes is about as efficient as it gets. Raphinha now has nine goals in six LaLiga appearances, which is an absurd start to the season.

Wojciech Szczęsny – 5.5/10

This was probably the one Barcelona performance that came with a big asterisk. Szczęsny came on at half-time for the apparently uncomfortable Joan García and had very little to do for most of his time on the pitch.

Then he gifted Racing a goal with an unnecessarily risky piece of play on the ball. To his credit, he recovered later with an important save that prevented Racing from making the scoreline even more uncomfortable.

Still, the mistake was avoidable.

Marc Bernal – 6.5/10

Bernal came on for Rodri to show why Barcelona remain keen to develop him. He was competitive, won possession several times and moved the ball neatly.

He had a brilliant performance, and looked comfortable in a match that had already been decided.

Gavi – 6.5/10

Gavi brought his usual intensity after coming on. Barcelona were already in control, but Racing had begun finding a little more space, and Gavi’s defensive work helped restore some order.

He was not involved in the attacking highlights, but that was not really his job at that stage.

Gabriel Jesus – 7.5/10

Gabriel Jesus needed only 20 minutes. Lamine Yamal found him in the box and he made it 6-2. It was another reminder that Barcelona have depth in attack. Even when the starting forwards have already done the damage, there is still someone capable of coming off the bench and scoring.

Alejandro Balde – 6.5/10

Balde finally made his first official appearance of the season to a warm reception from the Camp Nou. He looked lively after coming on and helped Barcelona launch a couple of counter-attacks.

It was only a short cameo, but after his absence, getting minutes under his belt was important.

Hansi Flick – 8.5/10

There was not much for Flick to complain about. Barcelona scored seven goals, Raphinha scored a hat-trick and several of his attacking players found their rhythm.

His decision to rotate at the back also made sense with a demanding schedule ahead, although the two goals conceded will give him something to think about.

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The bigger picture is still very positive. Barcelona have won all six of their league games and have scored 28 goals in six matches.

Flick has built a team that is relentless going forward. The next challenge is making sure that attacking confidence does not come at the expense of defensive concentration.

For now, though, seven wins from seven in all competitions is difficult to argue with.