RCD Mallorca vs Barcelona Latest News: Full Match Report
The opening weekend of La Liga 2025/26 delivered plenty of drama as Barcelona defeated RCD Mallorca 3–0 away from home. The match was full of goals, red cards, and debuts, giving fans plenty to talk about.
First Half: Barcelona Take Control Early
Barcelona made a dream start when Raphinha scored a header in the 7th minute from a cross provided by teenage sensation Lamine Yamal. Only minutes later, Ferran Torres doubled the lead in the 23rd minute despite protests from Mallorca players, who felt the game should have been stopped for an injury.
The match’s intensity escalated quickly, and Mallorca’s frustration led to discipline problems. By halftime, the home side had been reduced to nine men:
- Manu Morlanes received a second yellow card.
- Vedat Muriqi was shown a straight red card for a reckless foul on Barça goalkeeper Joan García.
Second Half: Debuts and Finishing Touch
With a two-goal advantage and two extra players, Barcelona dominated possession but slowed their tempo. Coach Hansi Flick later criticized his side for losing intensity in the second half.
The highlight of the closing stages came in stoppage time when Lamine Yamal dribbled past defenders and finished superbly, sealing a 3–0 victory.
Fans also witnessed a historic moment when Marcus Rashford made his debut for Barcelona in the 67th minute, becoming the first English player to feature for the club since Gary Lineker. Rashford’s link-up play and movement impressed, hinting at an exciting season ahead.
Star Performances
- Lamine Yamal: One goal, one assist, and constant threat on the right wing.
- Raphinha: Opened the scoring and pressed Mallorca’s defense relentlessly.
- Joan García: On debut, kept a clean sheet despite taking a dangerous boot to the face.
- Ferran Torres: Scored at a crucial moment, showing his sharpness in front of goal.
Key Takeaways
- Barcelona’s depth looks strong with new signings and young talents performing together.
- Mallorca’s indiscipline cost them dearly, finishing with just nine men.
- Hansi Flick’s tactical setup worked well, though he wants more consistency across both halves.
- Rashford’s debut is a major talking point, with fans eager to see how he gels with Yamal, Pedri, and Lewandowski.
Final Verdict
The RCD Mallorca vs Barcelona latest news confirms that the Catalan giants have started their title defense in style. With a comfortable 3–0 victory, impactful debuts, and standout performances, Barcelona fans can feel optimistic about the 2025/26 season. However, as coach Flick noted, the team must maintain high intensity across 90 minutes to compete at the highest level.