Champions start La Liga bid for three in a row with clinical away rout.
Barcelona wasted little time sending a message. On a warm Sunday night at Estadio Martínez Valero, Hansi Flick’s side dismantled Elche 5-0 to open their La Liga title defense. Raphinha and Fermín López each scored twice. New signings Karim Adeyemi and Anthony Gordon made immediate impacts.
The result came a day after José Mourinho’s Real Madrid edged Espanyol 2-1. Barça’s response left no doubt: the champions still set the standard.
Raphinha Sets the Tone
Raphinha, operating as the false nine after Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres departed, won and converted a 14th-minute penalty. Víctor Chust pulled him down in the box. The Brazilian captain stroked the spot-kick home for 1-0.
Just before the break, Raphinha turned provider. He unselfishly set up Adeyemi, who finished on his Barcelona debut in first-half stoppage time. The visitors led 2-0 at the interval.
Gavi limped off near the half with a right-knee issue, the only real concern on an otherwise dominant night. Lamine Yamal started but looked short of his World Cup-winning peak and was substituted midway through the second half.
Gordon Sparks the Rout
Flick turned to the bench. Gordon, the former Newcastle winger, entered and transformed the game. In the 67th minute he surged down the left and squared perfectly for Raphinha’s second goal.
Four minutes later Gordon raced onto a long ball, drove into the box, and unselfishly laid off for López to tap in the fourth. López completed his brace in the 79th minute, spinning away from a marker and driving a precise finish past Matías Dituro.
Barcelona finished with 4.13 expected goals to Elche’s 0.72. Possession sat at a modest 54 percent, yet the champions created and finished with ruthless efficiency.
Flick’s Verdict
“Five goals against this team is good. Elche play fantastic football,” Flick said afterward. “We are really happy that we won 5-0, three points. This is a fantastic start for us. It gives us the confidence we need for the next matches.”
The German coach also praised the clean sheet and the way his side used the spaces Elche left. Questions about a permanent No. 9 remain, but on this evidence the attack already looks dangerous.
Barcelona sit on three points after one match. Elche, still finding their feet under new management, have one point from two games and a heavy home defeat to absorb.
The Catalans travel next knowing the rest of La Liga has been put on notice. The title defense is underway—and it started with a statement.
AI Disclosure: This article was created with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools and was reviewed and edited by the Glowls News editorial team before publication.