Barcelonas five-goal Mestalla display keeps Hansi Flicks perfect start on track

Barcelona maintained their flawless start to the La Liga season with a dominant 5-0 victory over Valencia at Mestalla, where temperatures rose above 35C.

The result gave Hansi Flick’s side a fourth consecutive win and moved them clear at the top of the table. It also continued an emphatic run of attacking performances, with Barcelona having scored five goals against each of their past three opponents.

They followed a 5-2 victory over Rayo Vallecano with a 5-0 success against Elche in their opening La Liga fixture. Valencia were unable to cope with the intensity of Barcelona’s attack for most of the match, despite playing at home.

Flick selected Lamine Yamal from the start despite doubts over the Spain winger’s involvement. He was joined in the attack by Anthony Gordon and Raphinha, while Rodri made his first start for Barcelona.

Barcelona needed only four minutes to take the lead. Fermin Lopez produced an excellent pass for Yamal, who finished with a superb outside-of-the-foot strike to put the visitors in front.

Yamal thought he had doubled the advantage three minutes later, but the effort was ruled out for offside. That decision briefly allowed Valencia some relief, although Barcelona continued to apply sustained pressure.

The second goal arrived in the 22nd minute. Lopez collected the ball outside the penalty area and struck a fine effort beyond the goalkeeper, taking his tally for the season to four goals.

Valencia did have an opportunity to reduce the deficit before half-time when Danjuma found space to shoot in the 33rd minute. However, Juan Garcia made an excellent save to keep Barcelona’s two-goal lead intact.

Any hopes Valencia had of mounting a comeback disappeared soon after the interval. Raphinha scored Barcelona’s third goal in the 50th minute, extending the visitors’ control and increasing the pressure on the home side.

Barcelona continued to dictate the game as Valencia struggled to match their opponents’ movement and attacking quality. Pedri then added a fourth goal, further underlining the extent of the visitors’ superiority.

Yamal completed the scoring with Barcelona’s fifth, securing his second goal of the match and capping another impressive performance from the young Spanish winger.

The victory leaves Barcelona with four wins from four matches and reinforces their position at the summit of La Liga. Valencia, by contrast, spent most of the evening unable to contain Flick’s side, who left Mestalla with a commanding result and an early statement of their intention to retain the league title.