Raphinha and Lopez score braces as Barcelona trounce Elche 5-0

Barcelona ‌begin their La Liga title ⁠defence ⁠and bid for a third successive crown with a 5-0 ⁠victory at Elche.Spanish champions Barcelona have cruised to a 5-0 win over Elche in their La Liga opener, with Raphinha and Fermin Lopez scoring twice each and Anthony Gordon setting up two goals on his debut.After watching Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid defeat Espanyol 2-1 on Saturday with a late winner, Barca’s display on Sunday warned the Portuguese coach that the Catalans will not relinquish the title easily.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Squad, formation, unrest: Key talking points ahead of Chelsea’s new seasonlist 2 of 4Man Utd humiliated at Hull to open Premier League accountlist 3 of 4Fans and police injured in pitch invasion during ‘high risk’ German Cup tielist 4 of 4Arsenal rout Coventry 3-0 to begin Premier League title defence in styleend of listKarim Adeyemi also found the net on his debut as Barca made light work of a vulnerable Elche side at Martinez Valero Stadium.Hansi Flick started with several regular starters on the bench as they continue to get up to speed following the World Cup.Teenage winger Lamine Yamal, a key part of the triumphant World Cup Spain squad, did start on the right but was far from his best, though it did not matter given Barca’s otherwise sparkling display.Raphinha was cut down in the box by Victor Chust and stroked home the resulting penalty after 14 minutes to get Flick’s team on their way.Eric Garcia was sharp at the back to ward off a threatening Elche attack, while Barca’s Gavi caught the eye in midfield – admittedly more for his pink haircut to celebrate Spain’s triumph than for his performance.Rapid winger Adeyemi, playing on the left, started shakily but grew into the game and doubled Barca’s lead before the break after Raphinha unselfishly set him up.In the second half, former Newcastle United winger Gordon, on as a substitute, teed up Raphinha for his second, and then supplied Lopez for Barca’s fourth in an electric and impressive cameo.