Barcelona roared back to form in La Liga with a resounding 7-1 demolition of Valencia on Sunday. Fermin Lopez stole the show with a first-half brace, accompanied by goals from Frenkie de Jong, Ferran Torres, and Raphinha, as the Catalans surged to a five-goal lead by halftime.
Hugo Duro’s second-half strike offered brief consolation for Valencia before Robert Lewandowski and a Cesar Tarrega own goal completed the rout. The victory, only Barcelona’s second in nine league games, keeps them third in the table, seven points adrift of leaders Real Madrid and three behind Atletico Madrid.
Hansi Flick’s decision to rotate his squad paid off handsomely, with Ronald Araujo starting on the bench and Pedri sidelined due to illness. Frenkie de Jong opened the scoring just three minutes in, calmly converting Lamine Yamal’s cross. Ferran Torres doubled the lead shortly after, finishing Alejandro Balde’s delivery.
The relentless Catalans made it three when Lopez lofted a precise pass for Raphinha, who rounded Giorgi Mamardashvili and slotted home. Lopez then added a fourth, pouncing on Pau Cubarsi’s long pass, with VAR overturning an offside call. His second came just before the break, capitalizing on Raphinha’s effort that rebounded off the post.
Valencia briefly fought back through Hugo Duro’s close-range finish, but Barcelona responded emphatically. Lewandowski, introduced from the bench, clinically netted his 17th league goal of the season following another Lopez assist. The scoring concluded with a Ferran Torres cross deflecting off Cesar Tarrega for an own goal.
This emphatic victory reignites Barcelona’s pursuit of their La Liga rivals, while Valencia’s defensive woes deepen, leaving them 19th and four points from safety.
