Barcelona continued their strong start to the La Liga season with a convincing 5-0 win over Valencia at Mestalla.
Lamine Yamal scored twice, while Fermin Lopez, Raphinha and Pedri were also on target as Hansi Flick’s side produced another impressive attacking display.
Barcelona needed just six minutes to open the scoring as Yamal produced an excellent finish from a tight angle.
Fermin Lopez collected the ball from Rodri before clipping a pass into the penalty area, where Yamal met it and lifted a delicate left-footed effort over goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski and into the far corner.
Yamal thought he had doubled his tally three minutes later after being played in by Fermin again, but the goal was ruled out following a lengthy VAR check for a marginal offside.
Valencia briefly threatened through Arnau Danjuma and Uros Racic, but Barcelona continued to control the game.
Dimitrievski then made an excellent save to deny another curling Yamal effort before Fermin went close himself, forcing the goalkeeper into another stop.
Fermin doubles Barcelona’s advantage
Barcelona eventually found a second goal in the 22nd minute.
Yamal worked the ball into the area before Anthony Gordon laid it back to Fermin, who took a touch and stroked a low left-footed effort into the far corner.
It was Fermin’s fourth La Liga goal of the season, while Gordon registered his fifth league assist in his first four matches for Barcelona.
The visitors continued to create chances before the break, with Fermin going particularly close in the 40th minute.
The midfielder produced a clever run into the box before sending a low effort towards the far corner, but Dimitrievski got a hand to the ball and diverted it onto the post.
Raphinha and Pedri put game beyond Valencia
Barcelona continued in the same manner after the restart and added a third goal five minutes into the second half.
Rodri won possession before Fermin drove forward and collected a pass from Yamal. The midfielder then pulled the ball across the face of goal, allowing Raphinha to tap into an empty net for his sixth goal of the season.
Barcelona continued to find space with ease and Rodri came close to adding another when his header from a corner struck the crossbar.
The fourth goal arrived in the 79th minute.
Dani Olmo, who had only recently come off the bench, played a quick one-two with Pedri before slipping the midfielder into the penalty area. Pedri then drilled a low finish into the far corner.
Olmo was involved again just five minutes later as Barcelona completed the scoring.
The substitute clipped a clever pass into the box, with Yamal finding space to sweep the ball into the bottom corner and complete his brace.
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