Barcelona begin title defense with dominant 3-0 win over Mallorca

Defending La Liga champions FC Barcelona kicked off their 2025/26 campaign with a convincing 3-0 victory over Mallorca at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys on Saturday night.

Hansi Flick’s side made an emphatic statement in their season opener, dominating possession and capitalizing on Mallorca’s early disciplinary troubles. Goals from Raphinha, Ferran Torres, and teenage sensation Lamine Yamal sealed the win for the Catalan giants, who played against nine men for more than half the match.

Barcelona took control from the outset, with 16-year-old Yamal setting up Raphinha for the opening goal in the 7th minute — a powerful header that gave the visitors an early lead. Ferran Torres doubled the advantage in the 23rd minute, pouncing on a defensive error to calmly slot home.

Mallorca’s night unraveled quickly. Manu Morlanes was dismissed in the 33rd minute after receiving a second yellow card for a foul on Yamal. Just six minutes later, striker Vedat Muriqi was shown a straight red card — upgraded from a yellow following a VAR review — for a reckless challenge on Barça goalkeeper Juan García.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, Mallorca’s defense held firm for much of the second half, thanks in large part to an inspired performance from their goalkeeper. Barcelona created numerous chances through Raphinha, Yamal, Dani Olmo, and debutant Marcus Rashford, but were repeatedly denied.

Barça finally added a third goal in stoppage time, with Yamal capping off his impressive display with a superb left-footed finish in the 94th minute.

Barcelona dominated statistically, enjoying 72% possession and registering 24 shots, 8 of them on target. Mallorca managed just 4 attempts, with only one testing the keeper.