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 just after the hour mark and he won’t have scored many simpler goals in his career. The ball ricocheted off Lewandowski and into the winger’s path, who tapped into an empty net from eight yards to make it four.
The former Leeds United forward claimed his hat-trick just eight minutes later as Barca executed a perfect counter-attack. Yamal raced clear from a Valladolid corner and bided his time before producing an exquisite through ball for Raphinha, who slotted through the legs of a helpless Hein.
But Barcelona were not finished there and Olmo grabbed a much-deserved goal in the final ten minutes. The summer signing danced through the Valladolid midfield and defence before cutting in on his right foot and slotting into the bottom corner, with substitute Torres adding even more gloss to the scoreline with a seventh several minutes later.
GK: Marc-Andre ter Stegen – 7/10 – A very quiet afternoon for the German but he did produce an important save during the first half to keep Barca’s clean sheet intact.
RB: Jules Kounde – 8/10 – Popped up with a goal from a corner and consistently offered Yamal support down the right-hand side. Moro offered him some nervy moments defensively but it was an overwhelmingly positive display from the defender.
CB: Pau Cubarsi – 8/10 – The teenager produced a sublime through ball for the opening goal and swept up at the back when Valladolid ventured forward with direct balls in behind.
CB: Inigo Martinez – 6/10 – Threw his weight around in defence but has had much more challenging afternoons.
LB: Alejandro Balde – 7/10 – Offered width down the left-hand side when Raphinha tucked in and he was regularly supplied by the Barcelona midfield. A nuisance for Valladolid’s Lucas Rosa.
DM: Marc Casado – 6/10 – A solid but unspectacular showing from Casado, who had very little defensive work to do in his own half. Looked comfortable on the ball and recycled possession effectively.
DM: Pedri – 7/10 – Some excellent long-range passes and neat link-up play caused Valladolid issues, with the visitors giving him far too much space to pull the strings.
RW: Lamine Yamal – 9/10 – Pure box office. The 17-year-old strutted around the pitch and offered Valladolid’s backline no respite, opening them up with some mazy runs and delicate passes. Added two more assists to his tally.
AM: Dani Olmo – 9/10 – His debut was pretty special, but this was sensational. At the heart of everything positive for Barcelona with some incisive passing, effortless touches and powerful dribbling. Grabbed a beautiful goal to make it six late on.
LW: Raphinha – 10/10 – Valladolid couldn’t stifle the Brazil star, who made frequent darting runs in behind the opposition defence. A well-taken first was followed by a routine second and accurate third to open his account for the campaign in style.
ST: Robert Lewandowski – 8/10 – The veteran had three goals heading into Saturday’s clash and added to his talent with a fairly scruffy strike by his high standards. Could have had more and was superb when linking play.
Substitutes
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 – Came on to grab a goal and assist. Not too bad, eh?
SUB: Pablo Torre (84′ for Olmo) – N/A
Subs not used: Ander Astralaga (GK), Inaki Pena (GK), Gerard Martin, Hector Fort, Pau Victor.
Manager
Hansi Flick – 9/10 – The best performance of the season so far by some distance, with Barca’s direct and free-flowing football giving Valladolid nightmares. Very encouraging signs at the start of Flick’s reign, although bigger hurdles lie in wait.