Raphinha scores again as Barcelona ease past Athletic Club in La Liga

What the report says

Barcelona opened their first home match of the La Liga season with a 2-0 victory over Athletic Club at Camp Nou, with Raphinha and Fermin Lopez scoring for the hosts. The result, reported by Al Jazeera on 27 August 2026, followed Barcelona’s strong start to the campaign and left the Catalan side on six points from two matches.

Raphinha put Barcelona ahead in the 37th minute after Pedri split the Athletic defense with a through ball, allowing the forward to round goalkeeper Unai Simon and finish into an empty net. Fermin added the second goal in the 82nd minute, capitalizing on a defensive mistake by Aymeric Laporte after a low cross from Karim Adeyemi. Simon made several saves to keep Athletic in contention, while Barcelona also struck the woodwork and had a Pedri goal disallowed for offside.

The match highlighted Barcelona’s control in possession and the continuing use of Raphinha in a central attacking role while the club looks for a specialist striker before the transfer window closes. Barcelona manager Hansi Flick made changes from the team that began the season with a 5-0 win at Elche, and new signing Rodri made his debut from the bench. Athletic had brief chances of their own, including an Oihan Sancet effort that hit the post, but they remained without a point after two league games.