Valencia 0-5 Barcelona: Yamal 6, 84, Fermin 22, Raphinha 50, Pedri 79
Barcelona took full advantage of Real Madrid’s defeat this weekend, sweeping Valencia aside 5-0 at Mestalla to open a three-point lead at the top of La Liga with a fourth consecutive victory.
Lamine Yamal was at the centre of another emphatic attacking display, scoring twice and having a third goal ruled out for offside. Fermin Lopez, Raphinha and Pedri completed the rout as the defending champions continued their perfect start to the season.
Barcelona needed only six minutes to take control. Fermin found Yamal inside the area and the winger produced a deft first-time finish from a tight angle, lifting the ball into the roof of the net.
Yamal thought he had doubled the advantage shortly afterwards when he finished another move, but the goal was disallowed for offside.
Valencia were struggling to contain Barcelona’s movement and were two down in the 22nd minute. Anthony Gordon picked out Fermin in the area and the midfielder drove a powerful shot into the bottom corner.
Barcelona continued to create chances before the interval. Yamal missed an opportunity to add another, while Fermin was denied by Stole Dimitrievski, whose save diverted his effort onto the post.
The third arrived four minutes after the restart. Yamal initiated the move by finding Fermín, who then squared for Raphinha to finish from close range.
Valencia survived further pressure, with Dimitrievski making another important save and Rodri heading against the crossbar. But the home side could not prevent Barcelona from extending the lead.
Pedri made it 4-0 with 11 minutes remaining, receiving Dani Olmo’s pass before calmly sweeping the ball into the bottom corner.
There was still time for Yamal to complete his double. Olmo found him in space five minutes later and the Spain international made no mistake, driving a clinical finish beyond Dimitrievski.
The result leaves Barcelona with 17 goals from their opening four league matches. Valencia, meanwhile, remain bottom with only one point.
