Barcelona opened in style with a comfortable 7-0 win over Real Valladolid on Saturday afternoon to maintain their perfect record at the start of the 2024/25 La Liga season.
A flurry of goals in the first half saw Hansi Flick's side head into the break with a three-goal advantage, with Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski and Jules Kounde all finding the net during a unique first-half performance.
Raphinha scored twice after the restart to complete his hat-trick and with both Dani Olmo and Ferran Torres also on the scoresheet, Barca knew they would return from the September international break at the top of the table.
How did the game happen?
Four minutes into Barcelona's clash with Valladolid, Olmo almost claimed his second goal for the Catalan giants following his dream break the previous day. Lewandowski's angled shot found the Spaniard in the penalty area and he side-footed the inside of the post.
The former RB Leipzig midfielder then found the back of the net five minutes later when Raphinha's shot was cleared by Arsenal loanee Karl Hein, but the offside flag was duly raised by the striker to deny Barca the lead.
However, the hosts took the lead in the 20th minute and it was the relentless Raphinha who grabbed his first goal of the season. Pau Cubarsi's lofted ball was well controlled by the Brazilian, who continued past Hein in the Valladolid goal with his left foot.
It took just four minutes for Barcelona to double their advantage, with Lewandowski continuing his excellent early season form. This time it was Lamine Yamal with the ball that picked out the Polish striker and his effort bounced under Hein.
Valladolid's Raul Moro almost leveled the game before half-time but Marc-Andre ter Stegen equalized his shot. A flag was raised against the 21-year-old but replays revealed he was actually onside.
If Valladolid had any small hopes of a comeback in Catalonia, they were dashed before the break thanks to the expected goalscorer. Barcelona's corner fell to the feet of right-back Kounde in the penalty area and the French defender's finish found the goal off target.
Olmo was again left wondering why he didn't get on the scoresheet after the break, inexplicably missing the ball from six yards out. Raphinha and Lewandowski could have added points after that but Hein and Wood denied the Barca strikers.
Raphinha could not be denied again after an hour and would not score more easy goals in his career. The ball came off Lewandowski and into the path of the winger, who hit an empty net from eight yards to make it four.
The former Leeds United striker got his hat-trick eight minutes later after Barca launched a well-deserved counter-attack. Yamal raced in from a Valladolid corner and bided his time before producing a superb ball for Raphinha, who slotted into the legs of a helpless Hein.
But Barcelona were not done there and Olmo grabbed a much-deserved goal in the last ten minutes. The summer signing danced through the Valladolid midfield and defense before cutting in with his right foot and into the bottom corner, with substitute Torres adding the finishing touch to the scoreline seven minutes later.
GK: Marc-Andre ter Stegen – 7/10 – A quiet afternoon for the German but produced a key save in the first half to keep Barca's clean sheet intact.
RB: Jules Kounde – 8/10 – He scored from a corner and has been providing support for Yamal down the right. Moro gave him some defensive moments but it was a good display from the defender.
CB: Pau Cubarsi – 8/10 – The youngster produced an impressive ball in the first goal and swept high behind as Valladolid went forward with direct balls at the back.
CB: Inigo Martinez – 6/10 – He held his own defensively but had a very challenging afternoon.
LB: Alejandro Balde – 7/10 – It was given wide down the left when Raphinha came in and he was always served by the Barcelona midfielder. Interruption by Lucas Rosa of Valladolid.
DM: Marc Casado – 6/10 – A solid but unimpressive display from Casado, who had little defensive work to do for his part. It looked comfortable on the ball and recycled handling well.
DM: Pedri – 7/10 – Good long-range passing and good link-up play created problems for Valladolid, with the visitors giving them too much space to pull the strings.
RW: Lamine Yamal – 9/10 – Clean box office. The 17-year-old was roaming the pitch and never gave a break to Valladolid's backline, opening them up with good runs and soft passes. He added two more assists to his tally.
AM: Dani Olmo – 9/10 – His debut was special, but this was amazing. At the heart of everything that is good about Barcelona is powerful passing, effortless touch and powerful play. He grabbed a great goal to make it 6 later.
LW: Raphinha – 10/10 – Valladolid could not stop the Brazilian star, who always runs behind the opposition players. A well-taken first was followed by a standard second and a precise third to open his campaign account in style.
ST: Robert Lewandowski – 8/10 – The veteran had three goals in Saturday's game and added to his talent by scoring at his best. It could have been more and it was great when the game was connected.
What you are holding
SUB: Fermin Lopez (61 for Pedri) – 7/10
SUB: Eric Garcia (61' for Casado) – 6/10
SUB: Sergi Dominguez (61' for Cubarsi) – 6/10
SUB: Ferran Torres (73' for Lewandowski) – 8/10 – I came to score and assist. Not too bad, eh?
SUB: Pablo Torre (84' for Olmo) – N/A
Subs used: Ander Astralaga (GK), Inaki Pena (GK), Gerard Martin, Hector Fort, Pau Victor.
The manager
Hansi Flick – 9/10 – The best performance of the season so far by some distance, with Barca's direct and flowing football giving Valladolid nightmares. The signs are very encouraging at the start of Flick's reign, although major obstacles lie ahead.
Best player: Raphinha (Barcelona)
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