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Sunday, August 17, 2025

Barcelona begin LaLiga title defence with 3-0 win over Mallorca

Reigning champions Barcelona started their LaLiga title defence in a remarkable fashion, beating Mallorca 3-0 to open the new season.

• August 16, 2025
Barcelona celebrating
Barcelona celebrating

Reigning champions Barcelona started their LaLiga title defence in a remarkable fashion, beating Mallorca 3-0 to open the new season.

Hansi Flick’s side wasted no time asserting themselves, taking the lead in the seventh minute when Raphinha rose highest to head home and silence the home crowd, which came from a swift delivery from Yamal to give the champions the lead.

Ferran Torres soon doubled the advantage midway through the first half, finishing from close range after a quick attacking move, though the goal was met with protests from the Mallorca players. But it was given after a VAR check.

The hosts’ night went from bad to worse as Manu Morlanes and Vedat Muriqi were both sent off before half-time, leaving Mallorca to battle with nine men.

Barcelona controlled the game from then on. In stoppage time, 17-year-old Lamine Yamal added the finishing touch, cutting inside and curling a superb strike into the net to seal the win and finish as the Player of the Match.

There was also a historic debut as Marcus Rashford, signed from Manchester United on a season-long loan move over the summer, came off the bench in the 69th minute, becoming the first Englishman to feature for Barcelona’s first team since Gary Lineker in the 1980s.

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