Barcelona turned on the style in a comfortable 7-0 win over Real Valladolid on Saturday afternoon to maintain their perfect record at the beginning 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 an exceptional first-half display.
Raphinha scored twice after the restart to complete his hat-trick and both Dani Olmo and Ferran Torres also got in on the act, with Barca knowing they will return from the September international break at the top of the table.
How the game unfolded
Four minutes into Barcelona’s clash with Valladolid, Olmo almost claimed his second goal for the Catalan giants following his dream debut last time out. Lewandowski’s skewed shot found the Spaniard in the penalty area and he drove a side-footed effort off the inside of the post.
The former RB Leipzig midfielder then had the ball in the back of the net five minutes later when Raphinha’s shot was spilled by Arsenal loanee Karl Hein, but the offside flag was rightly raised by the linesman to deny Barca the lead.
However, the hosts did go in front in the 20th minute and it was the relentless Raphinha who grabbed his first goal of the season. Pau Cubarsi’s lofted through ball was controlled beautifully by the Brazilian, who proceeded to prod beyond 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’s through ball that picked out the Polish striker and his effort squirmed under Hein.
Valladolid’s Raul Moro almost reduced the deficit before the break but Marc-Andre ter Stegen matched his shot. The flag was raised against the 21-year-old but replays suggested he was actually onside.
If Valladolid had even slight hopes of a comeback in Catalonia, they were dashed before half-time thanks to an unlikely scorer. A Barcelona corner dropped at the feet of right-back Kounde in the penalty area and the French defender’s instinctive finish found the back of the net off the post.
Olmo was once again left wondering how he hadn’t got his name on the scoresheet after the break, inexplicably missing the ball from six yards out. Raphinha and Lewandowski could have added to the score shortly afterwards but Hein and the woodwork denied the Barca forwards.
Raphinha couldn’t be denied again…
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