Barcelona began the defence of their LaLiga title with a thumping 5-0 win away against Elche at the Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero.
There was no place for new signing Rodri in manager Hansi Flick‘s matchday squad, but England forward Anthony Gordon produced two assists on his Barça bow as the champions made light work of their opening game.
Raphinha converted a penalty in the first half to get Barça’s campaign up and running before new signing from Borussia Dortmund Karim Adeyemi slotted in a calm finish on his league debut after the break.
And the visitors were out of sight midway through the second half when Raphinha got his second and his team’s third after being played in by debutant Gordon, who had just come on.
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Fermín López added gloss with a fourth 19 minutes from time from another Gordon assist, and a fifth moments later.
Flick’s team are aiming to win a third consecutive title this season having pipped arch rivals Real Madrid in each of the last two campaigns.
They made a fast start against the side that finished 15th last season.
After 14 minutes, Fermín López fired an excellent first-time through ball into Raphinha, who was brought down by Víctor Chust and picked himself up to score from the spot past goalkeeper Matías Dituro.
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Raphinha turned provider for Barça’s second. It was his ball into the middle that found Adeyemi and the Germany international took a touch before opening his account for his new club.
England international Gordon came on for his debut and wasted little time in making an impact. With almost his first touch, the former Newcastle winger picked out Raphinha in space for the Brazilian to bag his second.
Facundo Buonanotte, on loan from Brighton, struck the woodwork for Elche in the closest they came all game to threatening Joan Garcia’s clean sheet in the Barça goal.
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Gordon made it a memorable bow by setting up his new team’s fourth, selflessly choosing to square the ball for Fermín López to score in the 71st minute rather than go for goal himself.
The final goal was arguably the best of the lot. Xavi Espart played the ball up to Fermín López who had his back to goal, and in a quick, clever movement, he spun his defender Federico Redondo to make space before firing into the bottom corner to complete the rout.
The one downside for Flick was an injury to Gavi who had to be withdrawn at halftime to be replaced by Pedri, though he was seen on the pitch at the end of the match and the problem did not appear to be serious.
