Barcelona hammer Valencia 6-0 with triple braces

Barcelona sent a clear statement of intent in La Liga with a ruthless 6-0 demolition of Valencia on Sunday, powered by braces from Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski and Fermín López. The emphatic victory keeps the Catalans within striking distance of early leaders Real Madrid, despite continuing stadium hurdles.

The match was played at the club’s 6,000-seat Estadi Johan Cruyff, normally reserved for the women’s and reserve sides, as Barcelona awaits permits to reopen the renovated Camp Nou. For two seasons, the team had been based at the Olympic Stadium while construction took place, but the grandeur of the venue hardly mattered against a Valencia side that never found its footing.

Barcelona, missing injured teenage star Lamine Yamal, dominated from the outset. López opened the scoring in the 29th minute and added another just after the interval. Raphinha, introduced as a substitute, struck in the 53rd and 66th minutes, while Lewandowski making his 150th appearance for the club sealed the rout with goals in the 76th and 86th minutes.

Both Raphinha and Lewandowski came off the bench to devastating effect. Spanish media speculated that Raphinha’s absence from the starting lineup was due to lateness, but coach Hansi Flick dismissed that, calling it a tactical choice following the Brazilian’s international duty.

Lewandowski’s goals were his first of the league campaign, a timely breakthrough for the veteran striker. “We were in control from the start. We knew what we had to do to get the victory,” midfielder Marc Casadó said. “The scoring chances and the goals came.”

Valencia managed just two attempts, with one on target, underlining the gulf in class. Barcelona has now outscored the struggling side 18-1 across their last three meetings.

Elsewhere in La Liga, Real Betis rallied from two early goals down to secure a 2-2 draw at Levante. Osasuna claimed their second win with a 2-0 triumph over Rayo Vallecano, while Celta Vigo rescued a 1-1 home draw with Girona through Borja Iglesias’ stoppage-time penalty.