Barcelona started their La Liga campaign with a confident 3–0 win away at Mallorca. The match was filled with drama, red cards, and exciting moments.
The defending champions looked sharp from the start. Despite missing key players like Robert Lewandowski and Marc-André ter Stegen due to injury, Hansi Flick’s side showed their depth and attacking power.
Raphinha opened the scoring in the 7th minute with a precise header from a brilliant cross by Lamine Yamal. The Brazilian winger, who scored 18 goals last season in La Liga, continued his fine form.
Ferran Torres doubled the advantage in the 23rd minute from a contentious play. Mallorca appealed when Antonio Raíllo lay injured on the ground, but play continued and the goal stood. “We didn’t hear the whistle, so we played on,” Torres said after the match.
Yamal, who thoroughly impressed throughout the match, capped the win in stoppage time with a fine solo effort. The 18-year-old winger, now wearing the iconic number 10 shirt, curled the ball into the far corner after cutting in from the right. It was his 16th goal for Barcelona in all competitions.
Marcus Rashford made his debut for Barcelona, coming on in the second half. The Manchester United loanee looked lively and nearly scored with a powerful shot that grazed the post.
Mallorca Collapse Under Pressure
Mallorca’s night fell apart quickly. Manu Morlanes was shown a second yellow for a late challenge on Yamal. Minutes later, Vedat Muriqi received a straight red for a dangerous tackle on debutant goalkeeper Joan García.
García, signed from Espanyol, suffered a head injury but stayed on to finish the match. He made two saves and kept a clean sheet in his first competitive start.
Barcelona dominated the stats. They recorded 24 shots and an expected goals (xG) tally of 2.14. Mallorca managed just four shots and 0.21 xG. Possession was 67% in favour of the visitors.
Coach Hansi Flick remained cautious. “We played at 50% … intensity must be sustained,” he said. “We must stay focused, especially when we have the advantage.”
Barcelona now shift focus to their next match away at Levante. Mallorca, meanwhile, will need to regroup after a tough start.
Will Barcelona’s shallow moments of inconsistency this time prove fatal later in the season, or will their depth, star quality, and early momentum carry them all the way again?Rate, Like 👍, Comment💬, share this article, Follow us on our social media handles, and Submit your own story to get featured and earn rewards! Submit your own story
