Yamal Scores Twice as Barcelona Thrash Valencia to Stay Top of La Liga

Barcelona continued their perfect start to the La Liga season with a commanding 5-0 victory over Valencia at Mestalla on Sunday, extending their lead at the top of the table to three points.

The reigning champions took full advantage of Real Madrid’s 1-0 defeat to Jose Mourinho’s Real Betis on Friday, with Hansi Flick’s side securing their fourth consecutive league victory.

Lamine Yamal opened the scoring in the sixth minute with a composed lofted finish after Fermin Lopez delivered a superb ball over the Valencia defence.

The teenage winger thought he had doubled Barcelona’s advantage later in the half when he fired into the near corner, but the goal was ruled out for a narrow offside following a VAR review.

Barcelona continued to dominate and eventually doubled their lead in the 22nd minute. Lopez finished crisply after being set up by former Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon.

The Catalan side suffered an injury setback when Eric Garcia was forced off midway through the first half following a collision with teammate Rodri’s shoulder, with the midfielder making his first start since joining Barcelona from Manchester City this summer.

Despite the setback, Barcelona maintained their control. Yamal fired narrowly wide while Lopez struck the post as the visitors continued to create chances.

Valencia also threatened before the break, but Barcelona goalkeeper Joan Garcia produced an important save to deny Arnaut Danjuma at his near post.

Raphinha, once again deployed as Barcelona’s centre-forward, added a third shortly after the restart, tapping home from close range after being set up by Lopez.

Barcelona continued to pour forward, with Valencia goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski making a save to deny Rodri before Pedri added the fourth following a neat exchange of passes with Dani Olmo.

New signing Gabriel Jesus made his Barcelona debut in the closing stages, coming on as a substitute with around 10 minutes remaining. He almost marked the occasion with a goal but sent his low effort narrowly wide.

Yamal then completed the rout, staying onside to collect another pass from Olmo before calmly finishing to score his second goal of the afternoon and Barcelona’s fifth.

The emphatic victory means Barcelona remain the only team in the Spanish top flight to have won all four of their opening matches, while Flick’s side continue to set the early pace in the title race.