What a way to say goodbye to Mestalla. FC Barcelona produced a superb display in what is set to be their final visit to Valencia’s historic home, sweeping the hosts aside 5-0 with an attacking performance that could easily have produced an even bigger scoreline.

Lamine Yamal struck twice, with Fermín López, Raphinha and Pedri also on target as Barça made it four wins from four in La Liga, scoring no fewer than 17 goals in the process. And with Real Madrid beaten by Betis on Friday, it has been quite a weekend for what are now the outright leaders in La Liga.

the game as it happened

Lamine lights the fuse

Under scorching afternoon heat, Barça took control from the start. Valencia sat deep and packed players behind the ball, but Flick's side needed just six minutes to break through.

Fermín spotted Lamine's run and clipped the ball into his path, and the youngster produced a delicate left-footed finish from a tight angle to beat Stole Dimitrievski.

Barça thought they had a second moments later when Lamine found the net again after a fine move involving Anthony Gordon, Pedri and Fermín, but the goal was ruled out for offside.

The pressure continued and the second arrived midway through the half. Gordon did well to keep the ball alive inside the area before pulling it back for Fermín, who swept a precise finish into the corner to score his fourth this season. And what an impact the former Newcastle man is having too. That was already his fourth assist of the campaign.

Valencia did threaten on the counter, but Joan Garcia twice denied Arnaut Danjuma in one-on-one situations. At the other end, Fermín hit the post and Lamine, Pedri and Gordon all had chances to add to the lead before the break.

Barça run riot

There was no let-up after the restart.

Lamine sent Gordon through almost immediately, only for the Englishman to fire wide. A minute later, Barça had their third. Lamine released Fermín down the left and his low cross was turned in by Raphinha at the far post. This century, only Leo Messi had also scored six goals in Barça's first four games of a Liga campaign.

From then on, the chances came in droves. Raphinha went close again, Rodri (starting a Barça game for the first time) headed against the crossbar and Gordon was denied by Dimitrievski.

Flick made a number of late changes, with Karim Adeyemi, Marc Bernal, Andreas Christensen and Dani Olmo all coming on, while Gabriel Jesus made his Barça debut in the closing stages.

Pedri and Lamine finish the job

Pedri made it four in the 79th minute after exchanging passes with Olmo and finishing low across Dimitrievski.

Five minutes later came the fifth. Olmo was again involved as he found Lamine with the outside of his foot and the Barça number 10 calmly beat the keeper at the near post for his second of the afternoon.

Five goals, and there could easily have been more.

Goodbye, Mestalla

With Valencia expected to move to their new stadium next season, this was Barça's final scheduled appearance at Mestalla, and they could hardly have signed off in better fashion.

More importantly, the 2026/27 league campaign has started perfectly: four games, four wins.

And now Europe awaits, with Feyenoord visiting Spotify Camp Nou on Wednesday for Barça's Champions League opener.

 
 
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