FC Barcelona kicked off the 2025/26 LaLiga season with a composed 3–0 win away to Real Mallorca at Son Moix— a night that belonged to Lamine Yamal in his first official match wearing the iconic No. 10.
The 18-year-old assisted the opener, capped the night with a late rocket, and later captioned his Instagram post: “The party of the 10.”
Match Highlights: Mallorca 0–3 Barcelona
Barcelona began fast and were ahead inside the first ten minutes when Yamal slipped a perfectly weighted pass to Raphinha, who cut inside and finished clinically for 0–1.
The lead doubled midway through the first half as Ferran Torres arrived at the right time to finish a sweeping move.
With control established, Barça managed the tempo, circulated possession, and protected the clean sheet before Yamal crowned the evening with a trademark left-footed strike from distance in stoppage time to make it 0–3.
It wasn’t just the scoreline that pleased Barça supporters; it was the clarity of the ideas. Hansi Flick’s team pressed smartly, created repeatable right-side overloads, and showed patience against a low block.
How Flick’s 4-2-3-1 Shined on the Right
Barcelona set up in a 4-2-3-1 when defending, but with the ball they spread into a fluid 3-2-5 that stretched Mallorca apart.
Pedri dictated the tempo in midfield, while Gavi drove into pockets of space, linking play with energy and bite. This balance opened the right wing, turning it into Barça’s most dangerous outlet.
Lamine Yamal was simply unplayable. Each time he got the ball, Mallorca had to gamble—close down his shooting lane or follow Raphinha’s clever runs inside.
Either way, Barcelona found joy. Yamal’s quick feet and vision pulled defenders out of shape, while Raphinha’s movement gave the attack constant depth.
At the back, the defensive line of Eric García, Pau Cubarsí, Ronald Araújo, and Alejandro Balde stood firm. Araújo’s strength, Cubarsí’s composure, and García’s calm passing gave Barça control, while Balde’s speed cleaned up any danger on the break.
Once two goals ahead, Barça showed maturity. Instead of forcing the game, they slowed the rhythm, recycled the ball, and made Mallorca chase shadows.
It was a professional performance—sharp in attack, solid in defense, and confident in game management. Flick’s Barça looked like a team that knew exactly what it wanted to do.
Numbers that tell the story
Barcelona dominated both field position and chance creation, enjoying 71% possession with 24 total attempts and 8 shots on target, compared to Mallorca’s 4 attempts with just 1 on target.
Even without pushing too aggressively, Barça still produced enough clear chances to justify the scoreline and comfortably managed the final half-hour with controlled, intelligent game management.
Lamine Yamal’s First Official Game as No. 10: Why It Worked
Wearing Barcelona’s most storied shirt is a psychological test as much as a tactical one. Yamal looked unfazed. His decision-making stood out: when to pass, when to carry, and when to shoot.
On the opener, he received between the lines, baited pressure, and slipped Raphinha through with the exact weight needed. On his goal, he waited—picked the angle—and unleashed a pure, rising strike from outside the area.
Technically, three details popped:
- First touch orientation: He shaped his body to face the inside channel, giving him both the shot and slip-pass options.
- Feints under contact: Short steps and shoulder drops made defenders commit without Yamal ever needing an extra touch.
- Final action quality: He avoided low-percentage shots until the clock and space aligned for a high-value attempt—then executed.
Off the ball, the teenager’s work rate drew praise from Hansi Flick. Yamal tracked, pressed on cues, and helped lock the right flank.
For an 18-year-old to blend star quality with defensive responsibility on Day 1 of the No. 10 era is a special signal for the season ahead.
Updated Player Ratings (Barcelona vs Mallorca)
Based on ratings from OneFootball, Football-España, and Tribuna.com:
- Joan García – 7 (Football-España): Composed and largely untroubled on debut.
- Eric García – 7.5 (OneFootball): Solid under pressure and contributed well in build-up play.
- Ronald Araújo – 7 / 6 (OneFootball / Football-España): Reliable but largely untested due to the match flow.
- Pau Cubarsí – 7.5 / 7 (OneFootball / Football-España): Displayed maturity and composure at the back.
- Alejandro Balde – 7 / 6 (OneFootball / Football-España): Energetic up the flank, helped with defensive recovery.
- Frenkie de Jong – 7 (OneFootball): Controlled the midfield, facilitated calm progression.
- Pedri – 7.5 / 7 (Tribuna.com / OneFootball): Kept tempo and created chances.
- Fermín López – 6.5 (OneFootball): Work rate noted, but less impact overall.
- Raphinha – 8 (OneFootball / Football-España): Early goal-setter and consistent attacker.
- Ferran Torres – 7.5 / 8 (OneFootball / Football-España): Found the net and maintained attacking threat.
- Lamine Yamal – 9.5 / 9 (OneFootball / Football-España): Outstanding performance with goal and assist.
Player Ratings Table
| Player | Rating | Source(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Joan García | 7 | Football-España |
| Eric García | 7.5 | OneFootball |
| Ronald Araújo | 7 / 6 | OneFootball / Football-España |
| Pau Cubarsí | 7.5 / 7 | OneFootball / Football-España |
| Alejandro Balde | 7 / 6 | OneFootball / Football-España |
| Frenkie de Jong | 7 | OneFootball |
| Pedri | 7.5 / 7 | Tribuna.com / OneFootball |
| Fermín López | 6.5 | OneFootball |
| Raphinha | 8 | OneFootball / Football-España |
| Ferran Torres | 7.5 / 8 | OneFootball / Football-España |
| Lamine Yamal | 9.5 / 9 | OneFootball / Football-España |
Bench notes: Fresh legs maintained structure and vertical threat; minutes managed sensibly with the game state secure.
Post-Match: Flick’s Standard-Setting Message
Hansi Flick mixed praise with a push for higher standards. He lauded Yamal’s maturity and defensive work, but warned that Barcelona can’t drop their tempo once they’ve established control.
Expect a season-long insistence on faster circulation, decisive vertical passes, and sharp counter-pressing—especially when matches tilt early in Barça’s favor.
Mallorca’s Perspective
Javier Aguirre’s team tried to set a combative tone but struggled to create sustained pressure.
Barcelona’s ability to freeze transitions and pull the block from side to side gradually drained the hosts’ legs. A handful of early direct balls offered half-openings, yet they rarely turned into clean final-third entries.
Quick Stat Box
- Score: Real Mallorca 0–3 FC Barcelona
- Goals: Raphinha (first half), Ferran Torres (first half), Lamine Yamal (90+)
- Game theme: Right-side overloads, controlled pressing, and measured second-half management
- Man of the Match: Lamine Yamal
- Venue: Estadi Mallorca Son Moix
Verdict: A Controlled Launch, A Superstar’s Signature
Barcelona didn’t need to hit top speed to bank three points. The real story is structural clarity and superstar execution: the shape fits the talent, and Yamal’s first official night in the No. 10 delivered end product with grown-up decision-making. If this performance becomes the baseline, Barça’s ceiling in 2025/26 looks considerably higher.
FAQs
Q: Did Lamine Yamal score and assist?
A: Yes — assist for Raphinha’s opener and a late long-range strike.
Q: Why was Hansi Flick unhappy despite a 3–0 win?
A: He felt Barça slowed down versus nine men and wants faster, sharper play.
Q: Were there red cards?
A: Yes, Mallorca’s Morlanes (33′) and Muriqi (39′) were sent off.
Q: Who was Man of the Match?
A: Multiple outlets and fan votes pointed to Lamine Yamal.
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