Raphinha Hattrick Powers Barcelona to 3-1 Thrashing of Bayern Munich

When Barcelona beat Bayern Munich 3-0 that night in a Champions League semi-final through goals from Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr, the dark age, the fiscal problems, Messi leaving in tears seemed as feasible as Covid-19. No wonder, Montjuïc, Barcelona’s temporary home that looks like a sawn-off version of Camp Nou, shook after Bayern were clinically dismantled 4-1; Raphinha getting a hattrick.

Bayern had not lost to Barcelona in six matches since. Forget losing, Barcelona hadn’t even scored against them since the 2-8 demolition in Lisbon. To Bayern’s six European titles, Barcelona boasted five but this was no longer a clash among equals.

Which is what made Wednesday special. Raphinha breezing past Joshua Kimmich and rounding off Manuel Neuer may have stunned Bayern but not shocked them. They regrouped, Harry Kane scored twice but because the other was marginally off-side, only one counted. It was 1-1 after 18 minutes. Who would have thought Bayern would be picked apart with surgeon’s precision before the half was done?