Raphinha scores twice as Barcelona thrash Elche 5-0 in first game of title defense

Barcelona kicked off their La Liga title defense in emphatic fashion with a 5-0 thrashing at the Manuel Martínez Valero Stadium. In this away encounter, the defending champions displayed suffocating attacking firepower, completely demolishing Elche, who finished 15th last season.

Coach Hansi Flick did not include new signing Rodri in the squad for this match, but English forward Anthony Gordon provided two assists on his Barcelona debut, becoming a key figure in the team's comfortable victory. In the first half, Raphinha converted a penalty to open the scoring. In the second half, Karim Adeyemi, who joined from Borussia Dortmund, calmly slotted home to score his first goal for the club.

As the match reached the middle of the second half, Barcelona's dominance became even more pronounced. Substitute Gordon delivered a precise pass, and Raphinha took it to score his second goal, making it 3-0. In the 71st minute, Fermín López scored the fourth goal from Gordon's assist; a few minutes later, he added another to seal the 5-0 victory.

Over the past two seasons, Flick's team has outclassed arch-rivals Real Madrid, and this season they aim for a three-peat. From the start, Barcelona quickly found their rhythm. In the 14th minute, Fermín López played a through ball to Raphinha, who was brought down by Víctor Chust, and then stepped up to convert the penalty himself, beating goalkeeper Matías Dituro.

Raphinha then provided an assist for Barcelona's second goal, passing the ball to Adeyemi in the center, who controlled it and scored easily. England international Gordon quickly made his presence felt after coming off the bench, almost immediately splitting the ball to Raphinha in space, helping the Brazilian complete his brace.

Facundo Buonanotte, on loan from Brighton to Elche, hit the woodwork, which was the home side's closest chance of the game. Gordon's impressive debut was not over yet; in the 71st minute, he unselfishly squared the ball for Fermín López to score instead of shooting himself. The final goal was arguably the best of the match: Xavi Espart passed the ball to Fermín López, who was facing away from goal, but he quickly turned away from defender Federico Redondo and then fired a low shot into the far corner to seal the win.

For Flick, the only disappointment was that Gavi was substituted at halftime due to injury, replaced by Pedri. However, Gavi was seen on the pitch after the match, and his injury did not appear to be serious.