Barcelona delivered a resounding statement of intent on Sunday with a 6-0 demolition of Valencia in La Liga, despite being forced to play at their temporary Johan Cruyff Stadium due to ongoing delays in reopening the renovated Spotify Camp Nou.
The reigning Spanish champions, who had been held to a frustrating draw at Rayo Vallecano before the international break, bounced back in emphatic fashion. Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, and Fermin Lopez each netted twice, ensuring Hansi Flick’s men climbed to second in the table, two points behind leaders Real Madrid.
The low-capacity 6,000-seater venue provided a modest backdrop, but the football on display was anything but subdued. Missing teenage sensation Lamine Yamal through a groin injury, Flick criticised Spain’s national team for aggravating the issue during World Cup qualifiers. Still, his squad more than compensated for the absence.
Lopez opened the scoring in the 29th minute after Ferran Torres flicked the ball into his path, and the midfielder fired past Julen Agirrezabala. Valencia, still reeling from a 7-1 loss to Barca in January, failed to register a first-half attempt.
Raphinha’s introduction at half-time turned the contest further in Barcelona’s favour. He tapped in Marcus Rashford’s cross for the second before Lopez doubled his tally with a long-range strike. Raphinha added his second soon after with a fierce near-post drive.
Veteran Lewandowski, coming off the bench, made it 5-0 with a composed finish from Dani Olmo’s through ball, before scoring again after Marc Bernal—making his return from a serious knee injury—set him up.
Valencia’s captain Jose Gaya admitted his side had no answers: “We weren’t capable of diminishing their strengths once again… the second goal did us a lot of damage.”
Barcelona’s ruthless performance sets them up strongly for their Champions League opener later this week.
What You Should Know
Barcelona crushed Valencia 6-0 in their first “home” match of the season at the Johan Cruyff Stadium, with Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, and Fermin Lopez all scoring braces.
Despite Lamine Yamal’s injury absence, Hansi Flick’s men dominated, piling more misery on Valencia after their 7-1 loss last season. The victory moves Barca within two points of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga.
