Yamal not missed as Barcelona destroy Valencia ahead of Newcastle clash

Despite Lamine Yamal's absence, Barcelona had their scoring touch, running riot against Valencia in a 6-0 rout.

Fermin Lopez was the star of the show, scoring a brace. Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski who both same on in the second half also got braces.

None from the front three that set LALIGA ablaze last season—Lamije Yamal, Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski—started this clash. 

The teenager sustained an injury in the international break, Raphinha was being punished for tardiness, and Lewandowski is being slowly eased back in with Ferran Torres on a good vein of form in his stead.  

Marcus Rashford and young Roony Bardghi started on either flank. The Englishman was immediately involved, carving out two early half-chances as Barça set the tempo. 

Ferran Torres came closest to breaking the deadlock in the opening spell, his clever chip drifting just over, while Roony Bardghji and Fermín López also went close as the Catalans racked up seven attempts inside 15 minutes. Valencia, meanwhile, were restricted to launching hopeful balls toward Hugo Duro.

The opener came just shy of the half-hour mark; a sublime touch from Ferran released Fermín, who produced a classy finish from a tight angle to put the hosts ahead. 

The goal unlocked more fluid attacking play from Barcelona, though they nearly undid their good work on the stroke of halftime when Eric García’s dreadful back pass gifted Duro a sight of goal, only for Pau Cubarsí to intervene smartly.

The second half began with Barcelona threatening again, Ferran striking the frame of the goal after another flowing move. 

Rashford, bright but lacking precision until then, finally delivered with a stunning through-ball for substitute Raphinha, who doubled the lead. Minutes later, Fermín unleashed a rocket with his less dominant foot to make it 3–0, effectively sealing the contest and forcing Valencia into damage-limitation mode.

With plenty of time left on the clock, Raphinha grabbed his second of the evening with a powerful finish, and he nearly completed a hat-trick soon after as José Gayà scrambled back. 

Valencia’s belated attempts to push forward left them vulnerable, and Lewandowski took full advantage after coming on, drilling home a fifth from Dani Olmo’s pass. The Polish striker wasn’t done—he added his second late on with a deft chip after beating the offside trap to round off a ruthless display.