Barcelona beat Athletic Club as Raphinha stars again

Barcelona made it two wins from two in La Liga, and Raphinha was the main reason they kept that start moving. He scored in the 37th minute at Barcelona vs Athletic Club, finished with a 7.9 rating and continued a very strong opening to the campaign. Barcelona won 2-0, with F. Lopez sealing it eight minutes from time.

Raphinha's strong start

Raphinha had already hit the post before finding the net, so the goal was not his only influence. He looked sharp enough to force the game toward Barcelona's control, and the numbers reflect that. He now has 3 goals and 1 assist in 2 La Liga appearances this season, which is a serious early return even by his standards.

BBC Sport's live report summed up the night neatly: "Raphinha continued his strong start to the season as he helped Barcelona make it two wins from two in La Liga with victory over Athletic Club at Spotify Camp Nou."

That is the part Barcelona will like most. The team has started fast, and the attacking output has come from a player who is already driving matches rather than waiting for form to arrive.

Rodri's debut cameo

Rodri also made his Barcelona debut after his £65m move from Manchester City, coming on as a second-half substitute just past the hour mark. BBC Sport described it as a controlled introduction, and the 30-minute run-out fits that read. His 6.6 rating points to a steady debut rather than a headline moment.

The second-half appearance was enough to tick off the first milestone without changing the shape of the evening. Barcelona were already in control by then, and Rodri's entrance sat alongside that rather than altering it.

BBC Sport's report put it plainly: "Rodri also made his debut for Barcelona following his £65m move from Manchester City as a second-half substitute."

Barcelona's early league form now reads cleanly, with two wins from two and a winger in rhythm at the centre of it. The next league outing will tell us more about the team's ceiling, but this one was about Raphinha again, and another 37th-minute strike at home.