Raphinha and Lopez score braces as Barcelona trounce Elche 5-0
Barcelona begin their La Liga title defence and bid for a third successive crown with a 5-0 victory at Elche.
Barcelona's Brazilian striker Raphinha and Fermin Lopez scored twice each as the Spanish champions dominated Elche 5-0 in their La Liga opener on Sunday. Anthony Gordon also contributed a brace for the Catalan side, making his debut. After Real Madrid's narrow loss to Espanyol on Saturday, Barcelona's performance suggested they are determined to maintain their title lead.
Karim Adeyemi, making his debut, also netted for Barcelona. Hansi Flick, the coach, started the match with several regular starters on the bench as they adjust following the World Cup. Lamine Yamal, a key player in Spain's victorious squad, started on the right but was not at his best. Raphinha, playing as the team's number nine, expressed his comfort with any position on the pitch. Elche, a difficult place to play, was vulnerable against Barcelona's high line defense.
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- Raphinha, Lopez hit braces as Barcelona trounce Elche freemalaysiatoday.com
- Raphinha, Lopez hit braces as Barcelona trounce Elche nst.com.my
- Barcelona launch LaLiga title defence with five-star Elche demolition channelnewsasia.com
