Barcelona returned to winning ways in LaLiga with a commanding 7-1 victory over Valencia on Sunday, marking an end to their four-match winless streak in domestic competition. The highlight of the match was Fermín López's outstanding performance, contributing two goals and two assists to the resounding victory.
The Catalan giants wasted no time asserting their dominance, with Frenkie de Jong finding the bottom left corner just three minutes into the match following a precise cross from Lamine Yamal. The Dutch midfielder's influence continued as he played a crucial role in Barcelona's second goal, setting up a sequence that saw Alejandro Balde assist Ferran Torres for the finish.
The floodgates truly opened when Raphinha capitalized on a crucial error by Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, who found himself stranded after rushing out, allowing the Brazilian to calmly slot the ball into an empty net before the 15-minute mark.
López then took center stage, netting his first goal in the 24th minute before adding a spectacular long-range strike from the right side before halftime. Speaking to DAZN after the match, López reflected on his performance: "We were coming from a bad dynamic in LaLiga and we needed this win. I needed a game like this. I've had a lot of injuries and it was important to gain confidence."
While Hugo Duro managed to score a consolation goal for Valencia in the second half, Barcelona's offensive showcase continued with Robert Lewandowski coming off the bench to add a sixth. An unfortunate own goal by César Tárrega completed the 7-1 rout.
The victory positions Hansi Flick's team third in the standings with 42 points, trailing second-placed Atletico Madrid by three points and leaders Real Madrid by seven. Meanwhile, Valencia's struggles continue as they remain in 19th place with 16 points, marking their first defeat in five matches across all competitions.
Barcelona, fresh from their thrilling 5-4 victory against Benfica that secured their place in the Champions League knockout stages, will now turn their attention to their final group stage match against Atalanta on Wednesday.
