Raphinha broke his competitive duck from the penalty spot. Elche then conceded four more

Raphinha scored Barcelona’s first competitive goal of the new season. The Brazilian did not wait for his teammates to create the perfect opportunity. He carried the ball into the area, beat Víctor Chust, won the penalty and then took it himself.

The solution was straightforward. Remove the defenders, reduce the distance to eleven metres and let Raphinha shoot from a stationary ball. It was not the most elaborate plan of Hansi Flick’s career, but it worked.

Raphinha converted the penalty in the 14th minute. He had also scored from the spot against Al-Ahly in the Joan Gamper Trophy a few days earlier, but his competitive account was still empty. That changed on Sunday evening.

The opening stages did not suggest that Elche were about to lose 5–0. The hosts pressed high, competed for possession and occasionally worked their way towards Barcelona’s penalty area. They played with considerably more courage than the final scoreline will ever remember.

Barcelona were not creating chances at will, but they struck again just before the break. Raphinha released Karim Adeyemi, who scored his first competitive goal for the club on his LaLiga debut. The German had spent much of the first half away from the spotlight. One well-timed run was enough to change that.

There was also an early concern for Flick. Gavi hurt his right leg following a collision with Víctor Chust and attempted to play on, but eventually had to be replaced by Pedri. Barcelona have not announced a diagnosis, so the nature of the injury and any potential recovery time remain unknown.

Elche continued to attack after the interval, but the spaces they left behind increasingly suited Barcelona. Anthony Gordon entered the match in the 65th minute. Two minutes later he had his first assist and Raphinha had his second goal.

This time the Brazilian scored from open play. The penalty had done its job. Once the seal was broken, it was no longer required.

Gordon needed only another four minutes to register his second assist, setting up Fermín López for Barcelona’s fourth. Fermín struck again in the 79th minute after a pass from Xavi Espart, completing his brace and making it 5–0.

Raphinha finished with two goals and an assist. Gordon came off the bench and immediately created two goals, Adeyemi scored on his debut and Fermín added a brace.

The result looks like a routine demolition, even if Barcelona were not nearly as dominant throughout the first half. Elche were eventually punished every time the game opened up. Raphinha, meanwhile, discovered what he needed to get going. He simply had to win his own penalty first.

Sources: FC Barcelona’s official match record, “El País” match coverage, FOX Sports match record, Cadena SER on Gavi’s injury