Elche 0-5 Barcelona: Raphinha and Fermin double up in five-star showing

Barcelona's defence of their LaLiga title got off to a sensational start as Raphinha and Fermin Lopez scored twice apiece in a 5-0 thrashing of Elche.

Hansi Flick's team saw their start to the 2026-27 season delayed, but it was worth the wait for the Blaugrana fans who made the trip to Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero.

Raphinha, who endured an injury-hit campaign last term, got them going with a coolly converted penalty in the 14th minute.

Barca's captain won the spot-kick, with Victor Chust having pulled on the Brazilian's shirt, and Raphinha was involved as the visitors doubled their lead in first-half stoppage time, teeing up Karim Adeyemi to mark his LaLiga debut with a goal.

Lamine Yamal did not manage to wield his usual influence on proceedings, only attempting two dribbles, creating one chance and having two shots, and Flick gave the teenager a breather midway through the second half.

His replacement, Anthony Gordon, made an instant impact on his LaLiga bow, threading a brilliant pass into Raphinha, who duly doubled his tally.

Four minutes later, after Facundo Buonanotte hit the woodwork at the other end, Gordon raced in behind an exposed Elche defence and calmly teed up Fermin for a simple finish.

Fermin completed the rout in the 79th minute, brilliantly spinning clear of his marker and calmly finishing from close range, before Gordon saw an effort kept out by Matias Dituro in the closing stages, as Barca rounded out with 4.13 expected goals (xG) to Elche's 0.72.

Barca back with a bang

Real Madrid got Jose Mourinho's second stint going with a 2-1 win at Espanyol on Saturday, but this was a much more emphatic attacking display from the reigning champions.

Barca plundered 95 goals in LaLiga last term, 18 more than any other team, and their new additions ensured the Blaugrana kept up that momentum into 2026-27.

Adeyemi was handed the nod to start alongside Raphinha and Yamal, and he led the way for Barca for dribbles attempted (four) and completed (two).

Yamal could not maintain his perfect record of scoring in LaLiga against Elche, but Gordon enjoyed a fantastic debut in Spain's top tier. 

His pass into Raphinha for Barca's third was sensational, and Gordon then showed fantastic composure to set up Fermin when he could have tried to shoot himself.

Keeping Raphinha fully fit could well be crucial to Barca's hopes this season, though.

The former Leeds United attacker has converted all nine penalties he has taken for Barca in all competitions, and he crafted a team-leading three chances and got all three of his shots on target, as the Blaugrana made it 11 straight league wins against Elche.