Lamine Yamal scored twice as Barcelona defeated Valencia 5-0 at Mestalla Stadium on Sunday. The result kept the Catalan side on a perfect start in La Liga.
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick watched his team take control early. Fermín López delivered a precise through ball. Yamal then lofted a finish over goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski in the sixth minute.
Soon after, Yamal struck again only for officials to disallow the effort for offside after a VAR check. Barcelona pressed on and extended the lead. Anthony Gordon laid the ball off and López drove a firm shot into the bottom corner in the 22nd minute.
After the break Barcelona struck quickly again. López sprinted forward and set up Raphinha, who tapped home in the 50th minute. Later Pedri combined with Dani Olmo on a one-two and slotted the ball into the net in the 79th minute.
Olmo then created the fifth goal. He slipped a pass through and Yamal finished clinically in the 84th minute to complete his double. The victory left Barcelona with four wins from four matches and 12 points. They moved three points clear at the top after Real Madrid lost to Real Betis on Friday.
Valencia remained bottom of the table with one point. Substitutes Gabriel Jesus and Harvey Elliott made their debuts for Barcelona in the closing stages. Rodri also started for the first time since joining the club.
Barcelona have scored 17 goals in four league games this season while conceding two. The side now prepare for a Champions League match against Feyenoord.
