Lamine Yamal Double Fires Barcelona to 5-0 Win at Valencia

Lamine Yamal scored twice as Barcelona swept Valencia aside 5-0 on Sunday, maintaining the reigning champions’ 100 percent start to the La Liga season. Fermin Lopez, Raphinha and Pedri also scored in a commanding away performance that moved Hansi Flick’s side two points clear at the top.

Barcelona are the only team in the division to have won their opening four matches. Their latest victory came at Mestalla, where Valencia remain bottom of the table and are still looking for a first win of the campaign. Real Madrid’s 1-0 loss at Real Betis on Friday had opened the door for Barcelona to establish a gap at the summit, and Flick’s team took full advantage.

Barcelona seize control from the opening minutes

Yamal, who had missed team training on Saturday after taking a knock, showed no visible effects as Barcelona made an immediate impact. The teenager opened the scoring in the sixth minute, collecting a superb lofted pass from Lopez before producing a clever finish.

Barcelona thought they had doubled the lead when Yamal fired in at the near post, but the effort was ruled out for a tight offside following a VAR review. The setback did little to interrupt the visitors’ control of the match.

Lopez made it 2-0 in the 22nd minute with a crisp finish after Anthony Gordon set him up. Barcelona continued to create openings, with Yamal firing narrowly wide and Lopez striking the post. Valencia did threaten before half-time, but Barcelona goalkeeper Joan Garcia made a smart near-post save to deny Arnaut Danjuma.

The first half also brought a concern for Barcelona when Eric Garcia had to leave the field after a collision with team-mate Rodri’s shoulder. Rodri was making his first start since arriving in the summer from Manchester City.

Flick praised the overall level of Barcelona’s display after the final whistle, calling it “nearly perfect.” The coach said his side controlled the game and were dominant, while also stressing that there was always room for improvement.

“Nothing is perfect, you always can improve,” Flick said. “If it’s perfect then you can stop working.”

Raphinha, Pedri and Yamal complete the five-goal win

Barcelona carried their dominance into the second half. Raphinha, again selected as the centre-forward, tapped in from close range after Lopez supplied the pass. It was Raphinha’s sixth goal of the season.

Valencia goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski saved from Rodri, but Barcelona soon added a fourth. Pedri scored after exchanging passes with Dani Olmo, extending the visitors’ lead as the match moved firmly beyond Valencia’s reach.

New signing Gabriel Jesus was introduced for his Barcelona debut in the final 10 minutes and sent a low effort narrowly wide. Yamal then added his second and Barcelona’s fifth, staying onside to gather another pass from Olmo before finishing the move.

Flick urged caution despite Barcelona’s flawless beginning to the campaign. He highlighted the youth of the squad and the impact of the club’s transfers, but said the season had only just begun. “We have to go a long, long way,” he said.

Valencia coach Carlos Corberan said the early concession made the task much harder for his side. Barcelona’s fast start set the tone, and the visitors did not allow Valencia a route back into the contest. For Barcelona, the result delivered another emphatic win, a clean sheet and a clear early advantage in the title race.