Mallorca 0-3 Barcelona recap: La Liga result as Raphinha, Ferran Torres, Lamine Yamal on target to kick off title defence against nine-man Mallorca

Raphinha, Ferran Torres and Lamine Yamal were on target for Barcelona as Hansi Flick’s side started their title defence with a dramatic 3-0 win against nine-man Mallorca.

The reigning champions were handed a boost to their squad before kick-off with the long-awaited registration of Marcus Rashford and Joan Garcia following their transfers from Manchester United and Espanyol, respectively, coming through at the last minute, with Garcia making his debut in goal, whilst Rashford would feature from the bench.

It would take just seven minutes for the Liga giants to take the lead and get their campaign underway as Raphinha combined with Yamal, as they did many times last season, to head home from the back post.

Barca would double their lead in controversial circumstances in the 25th minute as Ferran Torres’ goal was met by confusion and outrage from the home side, with Mallorca believing the referee had blown for Antonio Raillo to receive treatment after being hit by an earlier Yamal strike.

A double booking following the aftermath would see Manu Morlanes booked for the first time before he saw his evening come to an end just minutes later when he was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Yamal.

Things would continue to get worse for the home side as they were reduced to nine men just six minutes later when Vedat Muriqi collided with Garcia in the box, with the referee initially showing a yellow card for a high boot, which would soon by overruled by VAR in favour of a red card to drown the spirits on the first game of the season.

A resilient Mallorca side in the second half would see the visitors fail to add to their goal tally, with Yamal, Raphinha, Pedri and Dani Olmo all failing to find the back of the net with their respective efforts, with Mallorca goalkeeper Leo Roman keeping the visitors at bay.

However, Barca would eventually claim their third of the game in stoppage time when Yamal’s curling effort rounded the goalkeeper to find the top corner in the final kick of the game.

The reigning champions moved top of La Liga and will look to replicate their 2024/25 winning streak when they travel to Levante in the league on Saturday, August 23. Mallorca will look to move on from their woeful first half when they host Celta Vigo.

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11 v 11 or 9 v 11, the game was all about Lamine Yamal. Part of everything brilliant, Yamal proved to be entering the new season very much in the same form, if not better, than last season.

Whilst it took until the 95th minute to get his campaign underway, there was plenty of evidence of the danger the 18-year-old presents, with the Ballon d'Or nominee unlucky not to make the scoresheet earlier.

Whilst Barcelona did look to be missing the presence of Robert Lewandowski, who is sidelined with injury, the reliable strikeforce of Yamal, Raphinha and Torres was enough to ease past Mallorca and start their title defence.

Rashford would see his opportunities come far and few between during his cameo off the bench, but he will be in perfect company to get the chances to get his goal tally underway.

Barcelona begin their title defence with a perfect start. Raphinha, Ferran Torres and Lamine Yamal all on target as Mallorca dwell on a game they'd rather forget.

It's beautiful from Lamine Yamal to make it three for the champions. He cuts in and curls his effort into the top corner.

Mojica is replaced by Toni Lato.

He's dying for a goal but it's not happening for the 18-year-old. He attempts a low shot from the right hand side but Roman is able to push it out.

He follows it up with another from distance, this time from the left hand side, which is claimed by the goalkeeper.

In a game Mallorca will most likely want to quickly forget, Roman has been excellent.

Barca are pressing but unable to find a third as the clock ticks away.

Pedri blasts a shot from the outside of the box to force Roman to tip the ball over the bar, before Araujo tries to go for a somewhat spectacular goal but fails to connect.

Rashford links up with Jofre Torrents, who squares the ball across goal and it's begging for a touch from someone like Lewandowski, but no-one's there to convert.

Olmo tries to add to Barca's lead but whilst his effort has plenty of power, it takes a deflection and goes out for a corner.

The resulting set piece is played short with Olmo unleashing from distance but it's again blocked.

Raphinha sees his evening come to an end, with Jules Kounde coming on in his place.

He has a goal to show for his efforts as he looks to better his goal tally from last season.

Mallorca have given a good account of themselves in this second half and with a little bit of luck, Barcelona have been unable to add to their goal tally.

Still 15 minutes to go.

Somehow it's still 2-0 and Raphinha knows he should have done better there.

A neat turn and run by the Brazilian ends with his shot going just wide of the post.

And it's a let off as an pacey attack down the right wing by Raphinha sees Olmo hit the woodwork, with Rashford arriving at the backpost a second too late.

Shortly after, Eric Garcia has an opportunity of his own but his header is saved.

Marcus Rashford enters the fray, as do Gavi and Jofre Torrents.

Balde, Torres and Cubarsi are the players to go off.

A little bit of respite for Mallorca as an enticing free-kick from Johan Mojica but Torres is able to get a touch to put it out for a corner.

The resulting corner causes a little bit of trouble for Joan Garcia but Mallorca are unable to pounce.

There's a clash of heads between Dani Rodriguez and Pau Cubarsi, who both require treatment.

It looks like they'll both be able to continue.

That is absolutely superb by the goalkeeper to keep Dani Olmo's header out.

Olmo should have opened his goal tally with a lovely looping header but remarkably, a full-stretch Roman is able to tip it over.

It's a much more subdued atmosphere at the stadium in this second half and it's reflected in the play by the home side.

There's a few less reckless challenges, although there was a collision off the pitch between Mateo Joseph and Ronald Araujo.