Fermín López stole the day while Raphinha and Robert Lewandoswki struck a devastating brace off the bench each to brush aside Valencia 6-0, as Barcelona returned to winning ways in La Liga. La Blaugrana put on a true five-star display as the visitors were put to the sword.
La Masia graduate Fermín rejected attempts from the likes of Chelsea to sign him over the summer and was on top form in Barca’s first home game of the campaign with a stunning finish in either half. The 22-year-old swept the ball home after Ferran Torres’ delicate touch through for his first, before striking the ball left-footed from range to beat goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala in the second half.
Raphinha was introduced at half-time and scored his first from an impressive Marcus Rashford assist, stretching to poke home a delicious whipped cross to the far post. The Brazilian’s second goal was more of his own making, as he took down Marc Casadó’s long pass and powered the ball in at the near post.
Despite being without Lamine Yamal through injury it was Barca domination from start to finish, as the visitors could boast barely an attack – with the “olés” beginning to come out just after the hour mark. With just under a quarter of an hour to play it was five, as Robert Lewandowski made his own impact off the bench with a lethal finish in the box. Soon after, the Polish striker had his second in just a short cameo, Marc Bernal this time with the clever through ball on his return from an ACL injury.
GOAL rates Barcelona’s players from Estadi Johan Cruyff…