La Liga: Barcelona Opens Season with Convincing 3-0 Victory Over Mallorca

Barcelona Kick Off La Liga Title Defense with 3-0 Win Over Mallorca

Barcelona's La Liga title defense got off to a winning start as they defeated Mallorca. Barcelona dominated Mallorca 3-0 in their La Liga opener, with Lamine Yamal and Raphinha scoring crucial goals. 

Barcelona kicked off their La Liga title defense with a convincing 3-0 win over Mallorca at the Estadi Mallorca Son Moix. This victory marked their eighth consecutive away win, further solidifying their dominance on the road. The win also extended Mallorca's manager Jagoba Arrasate's losing streak against Barcelona to nine matches, highlighting the significant gap between the two teams.

From the opening whistle, Barcelona took control of the game, dictating the pace and creating scoring opportunities. Their relentless pressure paid off in the seventh minute when Lamine Yamal delivered a precise cross to Raphinha, who headed the ball into the net, leaving Mallorca's goalkeeper with no chance. This early goal set the tone for the rest of the match, with Barcelona continuing to press forward and Mallorca struggling to cope.

Mallorca's determined side pushed to level the score, with Joan Garcia matching the quality of Vedat Muriqi's initial effort. However, Barcelona's momentum continued, and they scored a second goal amidst controversy. The play didn't stop despite a Mallorca player lying on the ground after heading the ball clear, and Ferran Torres capitalized on the opportunity, scoring a beautiful goal into the top corner.

The atmosphere at the Estadi Mallorca Son Moix was one of shock and dismay. Manu Morlanes' red card in the 33rd minute significantly hindered Mallorca's chances, leaving them to play with one man down for the remainder of the match. The team's struggles continued six minutes later when Vedat Muriqi was also given a red card for kicking Garcia in the face, further weakening Mallorca's lineup.

 

FT: #MallorcaBarça 0-3@FCBarcelona dominate and secure all three points on the road! 🔥#LALIGAEASPORTS pic.twitter.com/78612BX7g8

— LALIGA English (@LaLigaEN) August 16, 2025

The incident involving Raphinha and Mateu Morey in the seventh minute of injury time could have potentially led to another red card, but Raphinha was only given a yellow card, much to the dismay of the home fans. As the teams headed into halftime, the crowd's frustration was palpable, with some fans even considering leaving the stadium due to the team's dismal performance.

The second half predictably became a one-way affair, with Barcelona pushing forward and Mallorca defending resolutely. Lamine Yamal continued to cause problems for his opponents, delivering two swift crosses that nearly led to a third goal for the visitors. Mallorca's goalkeeper, Leo Roman, made a stunning one-handed save just before the hour mark to deny Barça.

Roman's heroics were soon tested again, and this time he couldn't prevent Raphinha's beautifully curled shot from getting past him... almost. The shot narrowly sailed wide, keeping the score intact but showcasing the relentless pressure Barcelona maintained throughout the match.

Mallorca had a rare chance to cut the deficit when Johan Mojica delivered a precise free-kick on 65 minutes. However, none of the Mallorca players took the risk to try and score, and the opportunity slipped away.

To prevent any potential comeback from Mallorca, Hansi Flick made a tactical substitution, introducing Marcus Rashford, Gavi, and Jofre Torrents into the game just two minutes later. This move marked Rashford's competitive debut for Barcelona.

Pedri also showcased his skill with a powerful shot late in the match. However, it was Lamine Yamal who sealed the win with a stunning third goal in injury time. The youngster's trademark move inside the box allowed him to unleash a beautifully curled left-footed shot that left goalkeeper Roman grasping at air, capping off Yamal's impressive man-of-the-match performance.

𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗖𝗨𝗦 𝗥𝗔𝗦𝗛𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗗. 💙❤️ #VUELVELALIGA | #LALIGAHighlights pic.twitter.com/oqgcj5MRMX

— LALIGA (@LaLiga) August 16, 2025

Barcelona's win also extended Mallorca's drought on opening matchdays, as they lost for the first time in 10 seasons. Mallorca's manager Jagoba Arrasate now faces a nine-match losing streak against Barcelona. The match saw Barcelona dominate possession and create numerous scoring opportunities, with Lamine Yamal and Raphinha contributing to the team's success.

Key Statistics:

• Ball Possession: Barcelona (70%) vs Mallorca (30%)

• Shots on Target: Barcelona (8) vs Mallorca (1)

• Corners: Barcelona (6) vs Mallorca (3)

• Fouls: Mallorca (8) vs Barcelona (17)

• Red Cards: Mallorca (1) vs Barcelona (0)