Barcelona hit five past Feyenoord in commanding Champions League opener

Barcelona opened their Champions League campaign with a 5-1 victory over Feyenoord at Spotify Camp Nou. Raphinha scored twice, Lamine Yamal produced a goal and two assists, while Karim Adeyemi and Gabriel Jesus also found the net.

Feyenoord caused occasional problems, particularly when attacking Barcelona’s high defensive line, but Hansi Flick’s side were sharper and far more clinical. For one evening, the performance did most of the talking and the club’s communications department could take a well-earned break.

RAPHINHA STRIKES AFTER THREE MINUTES

The hosts needed only three minutes to take control. Pedri switched the play towards Yamal, who found Raphinha near the edge of the area. The Brazilian escaped several defenders before finishing beyond Tjark Ernst.

Adeyemi doubled the advantage in the 22nd minute. He drove towards the penalty area and sent a superb long-range effort into the top corner, leaving the Feyenoord goalkeeper with virtually no chance.

The visitors did create openings. Anis Hadj Moussa forced Joan García into a save, while Barcelona’s aggressive defensive positioning left space in behind. Nacho Ferri put the ball in the net twice early in the second half, but neither effort counted.

RAPHINHA COMPLETES HIS DOUBLE

Barcelona’s third arrived in the 57th minute. Pedri released Raphinha with a well-weighted through ball, and the captain held off his marker before finishing calmly across Ernst.

Flick then introduced Marc Bernal, Anthony Gordon and Fermín López, but the substitutions did not stop Barcelona from controlling possession. Feyenoord continued looking for opportunities behind the defensive line without applying sustained pressure.

Yamal made it 4-0 in the 77th minute with a direct free kick. Having already created the opening goal, the winger added his own name to the scoresheet with another decisive contribution.

JESUS ANSWERS FEYENOORD’S GOAL

Feyenoord finally found a way past Joan García in the 82nd minute. Gonçalo Borges supplied Sem Steijn, who converted from close range to deny Barcelona a clean sheet.

The response took just three minutes. Gabriel Jesus had entered the game in the 83rd minute and promptly headed home Yamal’s cross for his first Barcelona goal. The Brazilian needed little time to make his mark and completed the scoring at 5-1.

CLINICAL FINISHING MAKES THE DIFFERENCE

Barcelona finished with 71 per cent possession and nine shots on target. Their expected-goals figure was approximately 1.55, underlining just how clinical the finishing had been. Five goals came without the hosts having to manufacture chance after chance from close range.

There were still defensive warnings. Feyenoord were caught offside seven times, but also had two goals disallowed before Steijn’s legitimate strike. Stronger opponents will be better equipped to punish the space behind Barcelona’s back line.

The result remains an excellent start. Flick’s side collected three points, built a healthy goal difference and received outstanding performances from Raphinha and Yamal. It is still the opening match of the league phase, however. Barcelona have a habit of turning one impressive European evening into a declaration of a new era. This time, the players can enjoy the victory while everyone else keeps the grand speeches in storage.