Liga holders Barcelona crush Elche, Atletico salvage Villarreal draw

SportsLiga holders Barcelona crush Elche, Atletico salvage Villarreal drawBy AFP -Aug 24, 2026Add ARY News on GoogleAnthony Gordon set up two goals and Fermin Lopez netted two as Barca thrashed Elche in their Liga season opener. Photo: AFPAAResizeSpanish champions Barcelona cruised to a 5-0 win over Elche on Sunday in their La Liga opener with Raphinha and Fermin Lopez scoring twice each and Anthony Gordon setting up two goals on his debut. Earlier, Atletico Madrid salvaged a 2-2 draw against Villarreal despite having defender Robin Le Normand sent off. After watching Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid defeat Espanyol 2-1 on Saturday with a late winner, Barcelona’s display warned the Portuguese coach that the Catalans will not relinquish the title easily. Karim Adeyemi also struck on his debut as Barca made light work of a vulnerable Elche side at the Martinez Valero stadium. Hansi Flick started with several regular starters on the bench as they continue to get up to speed following the World Cup. Teenage winger Lamine Yamal, a key part of the triumphant Spain squad, did start on the right but was far from his best, although it did not matter given Barca’s otherwise sparkling display. “Five goals against this team is good, Elche play fantastic football,” Flick told reporters. “We are really happy that we won 5-0, three points, this is a fantastic start for us. It give us the confidence we need for the next matches.” Brazil international Raphinha lined up as the team’s number nine, after Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres left the club, and shone. Barcelona are still looking for a striker after Atletico Madrid rejected their bid to sign Julian Alvarez. “I’ll leave that to the president,” said Raphinha, when asked if Barca needed to sign a number nine. “I am comfortable (anywhere) on the pitch.” Raphinha was cut down in the box by Victor Chust and stroked home the resulting penalty after 14 minutes to get Flick’s team on their way. Rapid winger Adeyemi, playing on the left...