Barcelona Open La Liga Title Defense With 5-0 Rout Of Elche

ISTANBUL, Aug 24 (Bernama-Anadolu) -- Reigning champions Barcelona began their La Liga title defence with a commanding 5-0 away victory over Elche on Sunday, Anadolu Ajansi reported.

Raphinha delivered a man-of-the-match performance with two goals and an assist, while Fermin Lopez also scored twice.

Summer signings Karim Adeyemi and Anthony Gordon impressed on their competitive Barcelona debuts, with Adeyemi scoring and Gordon providing two assists.

Barcelona threatened in the sixth minute when a long ball released Lamine Yamal behind the Elche defence, but the teenager sent his effort over the crossbar from a tight angle.

The visitors took the lead from the penalty spot in the 14th minute after Victor Chust brought down Raphinha inside the area.

Captain Raphinha sent goalkeeper Matias Dituro the wrong way to open the scoring.

Elche enjoyed more possession during the opening half but failed to register a shot on target.

Barcelona doubled their lead in the third minute of first-half stoppage time following a swift counterattack.

Yamal played the ball to Raphinha, who squared it for Adeyemi to finish calmly and score on his La Liga debut.

Elche nearly pulled one back in the 52nd minute when Tete Morente controlled a long throw and struck the post with a shot on the turn.

Barcelona put the result beyond doubt in the 67th minute. Gordon, introduced from the bench moments earlier, released Raphinha, who stayed onside and swept the ball past Dituro for his second goal.

Elche threatened twice in quick succession as Facundo Buonanotte struck the post before Joan Garcia made an important one-on-one save a minute later.

The visitors added a fourth goal in the 71st minute through another devastating counterattack.

Gordon raced onto Dani Olmo's through ball before unselfishly squaring for Fermin, who converted into an empty net.

Fermin completed his brace eight minutes later. Xavi Espart found the midfielder near the edge of the penalty area, and Fermin turned away from his marker before finishing across Dituro to make it 5-0.

Gordon almost added a goal to his two assists in the 85th minute, but Dituro saved his effort from a tight angle.

Barcelona comfortably saw out the remaining minutes to collect three points from their opening league match.

-- BERNAMA-ANADOLU