Barcelona, Spain — Barcelona winger Raphinha delivered a standout performance Sunday, March 15, 2026, by converting two penalties in the opening 21 minutes of a La Liga match against Sevilla at Camp Nou, including a cheeky Panenka chip that marked a rare feat not witnessed in the competition for over a decade.

Raphinha
Raphinha

The Brazilian international opened the scoring in the 9th minute with a composed Panenka after João Cancelo won the spot-kick via a driving run halted illegally by Djibril Sow. Raphinha approached the ball slowly, stutter-stepped to freeze goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos, then delicately chipped it down the middle as the keeper dove left. The audacious technique sent the home crowd into raptures and put Barcelona ahead 1-0.

Just 12 minutes later, a handball in the box—confirmed by VAR—awarded another penalty. Raphinha stepped up again, this time opting for power over flair, sending a low drive into the bottom left corner. Vlachodimos guessed correctly but could not reach it, making the score 2-0. The quick-fire double extended Raphinha's flawless record from the spot and helped Barcelona assert early dominance in their push for the La Liga title.

The Panenka stood out as particularly noteworthy. Such chipped penalties, popularized by Antonín Panenka in the 1976 European Championship final, remain uncommon in high-stakes La Liga matches due to the risk involved. Analysts noted it was the first successful Panenka by a Barcelona player in league play since Lionel Messi's attempt against Atlético Madrid in 2016, a span of nearly 10 years. Raphinha's execution drew immediate comparisons to the greats, with social media clips circulating widely.

Raphinha's composure from 12 yards has become a hallmark. He has converted every penalty taken since 2019 across clubs Stade Rennais, Leeds United, Brazil's national team, and Barcelona—no misses in that stretch. At Barcelona alone, he boasts a perfect record, with sources indicating four successful attempts in La Liga prior to Sunday's brace, pushing his club tally higher. Transfermarkt data lists his career penalty conversions at 16 prior to the match, underscoring reliability.

The feat arrives amid a strong individual season for the 29-year-old. Raphinha has tallied 15 goals across competitions by mid-March, including nine in La Liga, contributing to Barcelona's attacking resurgence under Hansi Flick. His versatility—combining pace, dribbling, and finishing—has made him a key outlet, especially with injuries affecting other forwards.

Sunday's performance also highlighted Barcelona's penalty prowess. The club set a La Liga record for most penalties awarded this season (11) with the two against Sevilla, reflecting aggressive play and referee decisions favoring them in the box. Fans and pundits debated the calls, but the outcomes silenced doubters as Barcelona controlled proceedings.

Sevilla struggled to respond early, with Vlachodimos unable to stop either kick despite correct guesses on the second. The visitors mounted a fightback but could not overcome the deficit, allowing Barcelona to secure vital points in the title race.

Post-match, Raphinha downplayed the spotlight, crediting teammates for winning the penalties. "João's runs create chances, and I just focus on the job," he told reporters. "The Panenka? It's about confidence and reading the keeper. Happy it worked today."

The brace reinforces Raphinha's status as Barcelona's primary penalty taker, edging out competition from younger talents like Lamine Yamal. His ice-cold mentality under pressure has drawn praise from Flick, who called him "a leader in big moments."

Social media buzzed with highlights. Clips of the Panenka garnered millions of views, with captions hailing "nerves of steel" and "vintage class." One viral post read: "Raphinha's Panenka not seen in La Liga for a decade—pure audacity!"

Barcelona's victory keeps them firmly in contention at the top of the table, with Raphinha's contribution proving decisive. As the season enters its final stretch, his reliability from the spot could prove crucial in tight matches.

The unique double—two penalties in quick succession, one a rare Panenka—adds to Raphinha's growing legacy at Camp Nou. With his perfect record intact and flair on display, the Brazilian continues elevating his game in Blaugrana colors.