Barcelona have made it three wins out of three to continue their perfect start to the new La Liga season thanks to a very entertaining 5-2 win against Rayo Vallecano at Camp Nou on Monday night. The Blaugrana dominated the majority of the contest against a Rayo side who have given them so much trouble recently, and an inspired night by the front three of Raphinha, Lamine Yamal and Anthony Gordon led the way as Barça once again put on an attacking show at home.
Barça made a very good start to the game, occupying Rayo’s half and putting on a lot of pressure with quick, incisive passes. Lamine Yamal was active and dangerous early on, and the Blaugrana looked ready to take the lead.
Rayo were able to score against the run of play, however, as a mistake by Jules Kounde allowed Álvaro García to run all alone down the left wing and find Sergio Camello at the near post to put the visitors in front and stun the crowd at Camp Nou.
Barça’s response was fast and furious, and the Catalans needed just 10 minutes to find themselves ahead thanks to two outstanding goals: the first came from Raphinha after a wonderful team move, which ended with the Brazilian dribbling past Pathé Ciss and passing the ball into the net for a brilliant equalizer.
The second goal was even more special as Yamal received a pass inside the box and fired a rocket into the near top corner to open his account for the season in special fashion. Barça continued to apply pressure and had multiple good chances, and Anthony Gordon was their most dangerous attacker at the end of the half.
It was a Gordon shot that was saved by the keeper and sent home by Kounde on the rebound, but the full-back was just offside and Barça’s third goal was denied by VAR. The Blaugrana had a narrow lead at the break, but they were the better team and looked in the mood for more in the second half.
Barça remained the better side to begin the second half and doubled their lead thanks to a wonderful pass by Dani Olmo to find Gordon, whose pass looking for Raphinha was deflected home by Florian Lejeune for an own goal.
The Catalans were far superior but conceded against the run of play again, with Camello heading home from a corner to double his tally on the night. Rayo’s goal at the hour mark started a very nervy period for Barça, as the Blaugrana struggled to control possession and started to allow dangerous chances on the couner.
Hansi Flick sent on Rodri and Fermín López off the bench to try and improve the play in midfield, and the Blaugrana finally regained control of the ball. They found separation again thanks to a brilliant backheel assist by Gordon and a powerful finish from Raphinha, and Barça had a two-goal lead again with 20 minutes to go.
The home team did a good job of running out the clock and still found the time to add a fifth at the end as Karim Adeyemi set up Yamal who scored his second of the night with a beautiful strike from the edge of the box. The final whistle came to maintain Barça’s perfect start, with another fantastic attacking display from a team that have started the season absolutely on fire.
Well done, boys!
