Barcelona new boy Anthony Gordon made an instant impact on his competitive debut, coming off the bench to provide two assists as the LaLiga began the defence of their crown with a resounding 5-0 win over Elche.
Gordon set up both Raphinha and Fermin Lopez as the Catalan club saw off their hosts in style and lay down a signal of intent for the forthcoming campaign.
Rahpinha had earlier given Barca the lead before another summer signing, Karim Adeyemi, added a second before half time.
Gordon’s introduction paved the way for goals three and four, before Lopez bagged himself a brace when he netted a fifth late on.
Manager Hansi Flick was hoping his side could mirror their fierce rivals Real Madrid, who started life under Jose Mourinho with a win.
And they did just that, brushing aside a plucky Elche side to move into fourth spot in the table with a game in hand.
How the action unfolded
The champions were ahead inside the opening quarter of an hour after the hosts gave the ball away and Fermin Lopez fizzed an impressive first-time through ball to Raphinha.
The Brazilian was scythed down by Victor Chust and the Barcelona forward picked himself to dispatch the resulting penalty to give the visitors the early advantage.
Flick’s side doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time, Raphinha this time turning provider to tee up Barca new boy Adeyemi, who took on touch to set himself before tucking the ball home.
Despite the scoreline, Elche were positive, with plenty of attacking intent and runs forward, only for the final ball to let them down each time.
However, the visitors soon extended their advantage further, in part thanks to the introduction of new signing Gordon.
The 25-year-old winger, who joined the Catalan club for close to £70m in the summer to become only the third Englishman in 100 years to play for the first team, made an instant impact off the bench, picking out Raphinha for his second of the game with virtually his first touch.
Facundo Buonanotte then rattled the woodwork for Elche, but it proved of little threat to Barca. Moments later, Gordon was played through before unselfishly squaring to Lopez to tap home.
The floodgates had well and truly opened. Lopez completed the rout when he added a fifth soon after, receiving the ball with his back to goal before swivelling and lashing into the bottom corner.
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