Barcelona began their bid for a third consecutive La Liga title with a commanding 5-0 victory away to Elche in the second round on Sunday.
Fielding a youthful lineup with several changes, Hansi Flick’s side showed impressive attacking efficiency despite the absence of a recognized striker following the departure of Poland’s Robert Lewandowski.
New captain Raphinha led the way with two goals, scoring from the penalty spot in the 14th minute before adding another in the 67th. He also set up Barcelona’s third goal just before halftime, delivering an assist for new German signing Karim Adeyemi in the third minute of stoppage time.
Spanish midfielder Fermin Lopez added two more goals in the 71st and 79th minutes.
Another summer signing, England international Anthony Gordon, also made an immediate impact after coming on in the second half for young star Lamine Yamal, providing two assists within just four minutes for Raphinha and Lopez.
The convincing victory was tempered by an early injury to Spanish World Cup winner Gavi, who appeared to hurt his right knee—the same knee on which he underwent surgery twice, in 2023 and 2025.
Atletico Rescue Point Against Villarreal
Elsewhere, a depleted Atletico Madrid secured a late 2-2 draw against visiting Villarreal.
The Madrid side rescued a point despite finishing the match with 10 men after defender Robin Le Normand was sent off in the 76th minute.
Giuliano Simeone equalized for Atletico four minutes before the end of regulation time, after Gerard Moreno and Georgia’s Georges Mikautadze had put Villarreal ahead from two penalties in the 66th and 78th minutes. Atletico had initially taken the lead through Marc Pubill in the 59th minute.
Atletico coach Diego Simeone introduced fellow Argentine striker Julian Alvarez in the second half, amid boos from the home supporters at the Metropolitano Stadium.
Simeone had initially left Alvarez on the bench, while fans booed when his name was announced over the stadium’s public-address system. The reaction came after Alvarez expressed a desire to leave the Madrid club this summer, with both Barcelona and Real Madrid reportedly interested in the Argentine forward.
Villarreal created the better chances in the first half, with Pubill blocking Mikautadze’s close-range effort in the sixth minute.
The Georgian striker later created an excellent opportunity for Ayoze Perez before halftime, but Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak denied the Spanish forward.
Atletico took the lead shortly before the hour mark when defender Pubill unleashed a powerful long-range shot into the top corner in the 59th minute.
Their advantage did not last long, however. Moreno equalized from the penalty spot after Danish midfielder Morten Hjulmand unnecessarily brought down substitute Tajon Buchanan inside the box in the 66th minute.
Simeone then introduced Alvarez for his first appearance of the season, drawing further frustration from Atletico supporters.
Villarreal regained the lead 12 minutes from time with another penalty after Le Normand fouled Mikautadze inside the area. The defender was subsequently sent off following a VAR review, while Mikautadze converted the penalty in the 78th minute.
But Spain international Alex Baena, a recent World Cup winner, set up Giuliano Simeone—Diego Simeone’s son—to score the equalizer four minutes before the end of regulation time.
Oblak produced an excellent save to deny Buchanan in a late chance that could have secured all three points for Villarreal, who finished above Atletico in the battle for third place last season.
At the final whistle, Atletico players applauded their supporters, while Alvarez walked alone toward the tunnel.
Getafe also recorded a 1-0 home victory over Racing Santander, with Turkish striker Enes Unal scoring in the 81st minute.
It was Getafe’s first league win of the season after they opened their campaign with a 3-0 defeat to Deportivo Alaves.
Source: (AFP)
