Spanish champions Barcelona launched their title defence with a comfortable 3-0 victory away to Mallorca on Saturday, aided by two first-half red cards for the hosts.
The visitors struck early when Lamine Yamal, one of two Barça players nominated for this year’s Ballon d’Or, crossed for Raphinha to head home in the seventh minute.
Yamal was again central to the second goal midway through the half as his shot was only partially cleared by Antonio RaÃllo, who then collapsed to the turf.
As Mallorca’s appeals for the referee to stop play were ignored, Ferran Torres pounced on the loose ball and drilled in from the edge of the area to double Barcelona’s lead.
The home side’s frustration quickly boiled over when Manu Morlanes, booked moments earlier for dissent, was shown a second yellow card for a rash tackle on Yamal after 33 minutes.
Just six minutes later, Mallorca’s evening worsened as striker Vedat Muriqi was sent off for a reckless high challenge on debutant Barça goalkeeper Joan Garcia, catching him on the cheek with his studs.
With a two-goal cushion and a two-man advantage, Barcelona coasted through the second half, manager Hansi Flick handed a league debut to summer loan signing Marcus Rashford, whose registration was only cleared on Saturday morning.
The champions sealed the win in stoppage time when Yamal, outstanding throughout, glided through the defence and curled in a superb third with the final kick of the game.
Around La Liga
The opening weekend of the season kicked off on Friday as Rayo Vallecano beat 10-man Girona 3-1, with Jorge de Frutos netting the campaign’s first goal.
Elsewhere, Villarreal spoiled Real Oviedo’s return to the top flight after 24 years, winning 2-0 at home.
Later in the night, Valencia were held at home by the determined Real Sociedad 1-1, while Deportivo Alavés got the better of Levante UD by 2-1.
Atletico Madrid open at home to Sevilla on Sunday, before Real Madrid round off the first matchday against Osasuna on Tuesday night.