Barcelona need eleven shots to score five, and Elche never get near them
Raphinha's penalty on 14, Adeyemi in first-half stoppage time, then three more in twelve second-half minutes. Barcelona's first league match of the season was over by the hour.
Barcelona's season started fourteen minutes late and then arrived all at once. Raphinha scored from the penalty spot, Karim Adeyemi added a second at 45+3', and the Martínez Valero went in at half-time two down without having done much wrong.
The second half removed the doubt. Raphinha got his second on 67, Fermín López scored on 71 and again on 79, and it finished 5-0.
Eleven shots, seven on target, five goals
This was not a siege. Barcelona had 54% of the ball — not an unusual figure for them — and took 11 shots to Elche's seven. What separated the sides was what happened when they arrived: eight big chances created, seven shots on target, 4.13 expected goals, and a 3.72 xG on target that says the finishing matched the chances.
Elche were not passive. They created three big chances of their own, missed all three, and hit the woodwork once. Their 0.72 expected goals against five conceded is a harsh way to lose a first home game of the season.
Match facts
- 14' — Raphinha (Barcelona), penalty
- 45+3' — Karim Adeyemi (Barcelona)
- 67' — Raphinha (Barcelona)
- 71' — Fermín López (Barcelona)
- 79' — Fermín López (Barcelona)
| Stat | Elche | Barcelona |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 46% | 54% |
| Total shots | 7 | 11 |
| Shots on target | 2 | 7 |
| Expected goals (xG) | 0.72 | 4.13 |
| Big chances created | 3 | 8 |
| Accurate passes | 349 (80%) | 466 (87%) |
| Corners | 3 | 1 |
| Offsides | 3 | 3 |
| Fouls committed | 13 | 12 |
| Yellow cards | 1 | 0 |
| Saves | 2 | 2 |
What's next
Barcelona begin with three points and a goal difference of five, having played one match fewer than most of the league. Elche have one point from two and now know exactly where the gap is.
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