Barcelona began their La Liga title defense in commanding fashion on Saturday night, securing a convincing 3-0 win against Real Mallorca in the season’s opening round.
The reigning champions looked sharp from the outset, dictating the tempo with swift passing and relentless pressure.
Raphinha opened the scoring as early as the 7th minute, heading in a precise cross from teenage sensation Lamine Yamal. Sixteen minutes later, Ferran Torres doubled the lead with a thunderous long-range strike that left Mallorca’s goalkeeper stranded. The goal also sparked conversation among refereeing pundits, though it ultimately stood.
The hosts’ night worsened when Manu Morlanes received a red card in the 33rd minute, reducing Mallorca to ten men. Before halftime, striker Vedat Muriqi was also dismissed, leaving the home side with only nine players on the pitch. From that point, Barcelona were firmly in control and rarely looked threatened.
Yamal, already impressive with his early assist, capped off a memorable performance with a stunning individual effort in stoppage time. The 17-year-old curled a brilliant shot into the top corner, sealing the third goal and completing the rout.
Barcelona’s next challenge will be against Levante on August 23, while Mallorca travel to face Celta Vigo on the same day. Meanwhile, La Liga action continues with Sunday’s fixtures featuring Celta Vigo vs. Getafe, Athletic Bilbao vs. Sevilla, and Espanyol vs. Atletico Madrid. Elche will host Real Betis on Monday, before Real Madrid take on Osasuna in a highly anticipated clash on Tuesday.
For Barcelona, the opening win was more than just three points—it was a statement of intent, reminding rivals that the Catalans remain determined to defend their crown.