Barcelona maintained their perfect start to the La Liga season with a dominant 7-0 win over Real Valladolid at the Estadi Olímpic. The Catalan giants showcased their offensive prowess, leaving no doubt about their intentions for the season as they continue to assert their dominance in the league.
The win ensures that Hansi Flick’s side remains top of the league heading into the first international break, with a 100% record still intact. This victory also highlights Barcelona's impressive form under Flick, as they have consistently delivered top-notch performances against their opponents.
The hosts started strongly and were relentless throughout the match. From the first whistle, Barcelona controlled the tempo of the game, dictating play and constantly threatening the Valladolid defense with their fluid passing and sharp movements.
Despite Dani Olmo being denied twice early on, one by an offside call and another by the woodwork, Barcelona remained patient and continued to press forward. Olmo’s close attempts served as a warning to Valladolid, indicating the kind of pressure they would be under for the remainder of the match.
Barcelona broke the deadlock in the 20th minute. Pau Cubarsi set up Raphinha, who coolly slotted home his first goal of the season. The precise through ball from Cubarsi left Raphinha with only the goalkeeper to beat, and he did so with aplomb, placing his shot perfectly into the corner.
Barcelona doubled their lead just four minutes later, with Robert Lewandowski finishing off a perfect assist from Lamine Yamal, marking his fourth goal of the campaign. Yamal’s vision and perfectly weighted pass allowed Lewandowski to slot the ball home with ease, underlining the youngster's growing influence in the team.
On the stroke of halftime, Jules Kounde surprised everyone by scoring Barcelona’s third, capitalizing on a loose ball from a Raphinha corner to fire past Valladolid’s helpless goalkeeper, Karl Hein. The French defender’s opportunistic strike was a testament to his alertness and quick reaction inside the box.
After the break, Raphinha took center stage. He added two more goals in quick succession, completing his first hat-trick for Barcelona with a simple tap-in and another composed finish. His second goal came from a well-placed cross, which he calmly converted, and his third was a result of excellent build-up play that left him with a straightforward finish.
The Catalan giants weren’t done yet. Dani Olmo finally found the back of the net in the 83rd minute. Olmo’s persistence paid off as he latched onto a rebound and expertly guided the ball into the net, sealing his well-deserved goal for the night.
Just minutes later, Raphinha capped off a stellar performance by assisting Ferran Torres for Barcelona’s seventh goal of the night. Raphinha’s inch-perfect cross found Torres, who made no mistake in finding the net, rounding off a perfect night for Barcelona.
The emphatic win sees Barcelona extend their lead at the top of La Liga to five points. The team’s performance sends a strong message to their rivals that they are serious contenders for the title this season.