FC Barcelona ended a four-game winless run in LaLiga after hammering Valencia 7-1 on Sunday evening.
LALIGA
Result: Barcelona 7-1 Valencia
Date: 26 January 2025
Venue: Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys
Following a narrow win over Benfica in a nine-goal thriller in the UEFA Champions League, Barca manager Hansi Flick recalled Ferran Torres to join Raphinha and Lamine Yamal, as Robert Lewandowski was reserved.
Blaugrana had a perfect start after Frenkie de Jong gave them the lead within the first three minutes with a strike into the bottom corner after a dinked pass by Yamal.
The hosts were 2-0 up five minutes later after Torres connected well with a cross by Alejandro Balde in the box.
Valencia were collapsing at the back inside 14 minutes after Raphinha made it 3-0 for the Catalan giants from a one-on-one chance with goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili following a through ball by Lopez.
Barca were running riot already with just 25 minutes on the clock as Lopez made it 4-0 with a strike in the box from a cross by Pau Cubarsi.
Valencia thought they had a lifeline just after the half-hour mark after the referee initially awarded them a penalty for a foul in the box by shot-stopper Wojciech Szczesny, however, following a review using the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) the referee referee changed his decision.
Flick's men continued to attack and Lopez made it 5-0 and completed his brace on the stroke of half-time from a rebound after Raphinha's initial shot came off the post.
Los Ches continued to absorb the pressure from the interval but they finally had a consolation goal on the hour-mark after Hugo Duro had a good strike at the near post from a cross by Diego Lopez.
However, Valencia were punished for a high line again six minutes later after substitute Lewandowski made it 6-1 for Barca from a through ball by Lopez.
It got worse for the visitors with 15 minutes to go after Cesar Tarrega misdirected a clearance into his own net from a cross and gave Blaugrana a 7-1 lead.
The win took Barca up to third in the standings, seven points behind leaders and rivals Real Madrid.
