Kolkata: Barcelona continued their perfect Laliga record with a dominant 5-0 win over Valencia at Mestalla. Yamal scored a brace, Fermín López, Raphinha, and Pedri also finding the net. Yamal opened the scoring in the sixth minute. Fermín netted his first goal for the club in the 24th minute. Raphinha made the scoreline 3-0 in the 53rd, pedri scored in the 79th and Yamal completed the scoring six minutes later.
Barcelona dominated from the off and only took six minutes to break Valencia’s defence. Fermín López played a clever ball into the path of Yamal, who finished confidently. Valencia were struggling to deal with Barcelona’s threat in the final third and their woes continued when they conceded a second goal just after the half-hour mark. Fermín collected the ball on the edge of the area and then drove a powerful effort into the bottom corner in the 24th minute.
The home side needed a response at the second half but conceded again within five minutes. It was once again down to Fermín to set up Raphinha, who made no mistake with the finish to give his side a three-goal lead and effectively settle the game.
Barcelona continued to control proceedings and saw more chances as Valencia were pushed further back. Pedri made it four in the 79th minute with another neat strike to add to their dominance.
Yamal then scored his second goal of the night in the 84th minute to finish well-worked Barcelona attack. The win was another statement of intent from Barca coach Hansi Flick, who saw Yamal star alongside Fermín, who scored and provided two assists, while Raphinha continued to prove his value to the team, as Barcelona showed once again that they can turn switched-off defending into victory.
For Valencia, there was nothing to take away from the game as they were outclassed in all departments by their opponents. Barcelona, meanwhile, have now won four straight league games and will look to follow their opening-day win against Las Palmas with a fifth successive victory when they host Getafe on Sunday.
