Barcelona started with a win. © ANSA / CATI CLADERA

Torres goal heats up tempers: Barça starts with victory

FC Barcelona has successfully launched its mission to defend its title in the Spanish Primera División.

August 16, 2025

From: dpa

The champions comfortably won 3-0 (2-0) in their away match at RCD Mallorca on the opening matchday. The goals for Barça came from Raphinha (7'), Ferran Torres (23'), and exceptional Lamine Yamal (90'+4').

The second goal, however, heated up tempers: After a long-range shot from Barça's Yamal, RCD captain Raillo took the ball to the head and subsequently collapsed to the ground, visibly dazed. Play was not interrupted. Referee José Luis Munuera Montero had his whistle in his mouth, but clearly didn't blow it.

Lamine Yamal hit the mark. © ANSA / MIQUEL A. BORR

Things then got rough, especially with the Mallorcans sending off two times in a short space of time for fouls. After Manu Morlanes received a yellow card for a second yellow card (33rd minute) and Vedat Muriqi received a red card (37th minute), Mallorca had to play with two players down for more than 50 minutes.

Garcia in goal

Newly signed Joan Garcia was in goal for Barça, replacing Marc-André ter Stegen. Officials were only able to register the 24-year-old shortly before the match. This was made possible after the Spanish Football League's medical committee officially classified team captain ter Stegen's back surgery as a long-term injury.

This enabled heavily indebted FC Barcelona to officially call up Garcia, who had already been signed as their new number one in June, for league matches. This formal act followed a heated and sometimes public dispute between Barça and their long-time German goalkeeper, ter Stegen.