Barcelona sweep aside Getafe to maintain perfect La Liga start

Barcelona moved to 24 points at the top of La Liga after beating Getafe 3-0 at Spotify Camp Nou on Saturday, securing a comfortable victory in the eighth round of the season.

Anthony Gordon put the hosts ahead inside two minutes before Gabriel Jesus doubled their advantage in the 30th minute. Jules Kounde completed the scoring 17 minutes from time, turning in a cross from Lamine Yamal.

The result leaves Getafe on eight points in 13th place.

Barcelona established control from the opening stages and quickly set about finding a way through Getafe’s compact defensive shape. Gavi, Rodri and Gerard looked to break the visitors’ structure with vertical passes, while Dani Olmo operated between the lines.

Yamal found it difficult to escape his markers, with two or three Getafe players regularly assigned to track him. That attention nevertheless created additional space elsewhere, allowing Kounde to move forward from the back.

On the opposite side, Xavi Espart operated more like a midfielder than a conventional full-back, as he has done on previous occasions.

Barcelona’s early pressure brought the opening goal when Gordon cut in from the left through the crowded defence. His shot lacked power but struck Martin and changed direction before finding the net beyond goalkeeper David Soria.

The hosts continued to probe in tight areas, repeatedly attempting to release runners with passes through the centre. Jesus worked his way forward from the left and remained patient until space opened for a shot. His effort caught Soria moving the other way and went into the net to give Barcelona a two-goal lead at half-time.

Kounde finishes the job

Getafe showed greater ambition after the interval. Mujica produced their clearest early threat when he struck from the left, with the ball passing just wide of the post and brushing the outside of the net.

Barcelona, however, retained their composure and gradually forced the visitors back towards their own half. Rodri dictated the tempo, consistently taking up the right positions and directing the movement of his team-mates.

One attack began with Xavi Espart driving towards the edge of the Getafe penalty area. Dani Olmo slipped a pass through to him, but his effort was aimed straight at Soria, who made the save.

Barcelona added a third when Yamal delivered from the right towards the far post. Kounde had advanced from deep and met the cross, applying the touch needed to redirect it into the goal.

Yamal had an opportunity to add a goal of his own, but he placed a relatively simple chance wide after meeting a cross from Adeyemi.

There was no way back for Getafe as Barcelona completed a straightforward win, extending their lead at the summit to 24 points while leaving the visitors 13th in the table.