Barcelona beat Getafe 3-0 in La Liga’s fifth round, with Ferrán Torres scoring twice and Dani Olmo adding the third. Playing at the Johan Cruyff Stadium, the Catalans secured their second straight home win and remain just two points behind leaders Real Madrid.
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Barcelona defeated Getafe 3-0 on Sunday in the fifth round of La Liga, a result that not only showcased their growing attacking momentum but also allowed them to keep pace with Real Madrid at the top of the table. With this victory, the Catalan giants sit on 13 points, just two behind their eternal rivals, who continue to maintain a perfect winning record after five games.
The match, played at the compact Johan Cruyff Stadium rather than the iconic Camp Nou still under renovation once again highlighted the adaptability of Xavi Hernández’s side. Despite the smaller venue and the absence of the electrifying atmosphere of their historic home ground, Barcelona have made the Johan Cruyff Stadium something of a fortress. After dismantling Valencia 6-0 in their previous league outing, they followed it up with another emphatic display of dominance against Getafe, much to the delight of the fans who filled the temporary ground.
Barcelona came into this game with a few selection headaches. Rising star Lamine Yamal was ruled out with an injury, depriving Xavi of one of his most creative young attackers. Meanwhile, English forward Marcus Rashford, who had been the hero in the midweek Champions League triumph against Newcastle (2-1), was surprisingly left on the bench. Reports suggested that Rashford had arrived late to the team’s pre-match gathering, prompting disciplinary action from the coach. His absence from the starting lineup, however, opened the door for Ferrán Torres to step into the spotlight and he grasped the opportunity with both hands.
Torres struck early, finding the net in the 15th minute to calm any nerves and put Barcelona in control. His sharpness in front of goal was on full display again just before halftime, when he doubled the lead in the 34th minute. Both finishes reflected not only his positioning and finishing ability but also his hunger to re-establish himself as a key player in a squad brimming with attacking talent.
The second half continued in the same vein, with Barcelona dictating possession and tempo. Dani Olmo, already influential in the first half with his assist for the opener, capped off his excellent individual display by scoring the third goal in the 63rd minute. Olmo’s performance underlined his growing importance in Xavi’s tactical setup, offering both creativity and clinical execution in midfield.
Beyond the goals, the match was a reminder of Barcelona’s depth and versatility. Even without two of their most talked-about attacking names Yamal and Rashford the team produced a fluid, commanding performance. The defensive unit, marshalled by the experienced Jules Koundé and Ronald Araújo, remained solid, limiting Getafe to very few chances. Goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen enjoyed a relatively quiet afternoon, further proof of the control exerted by the home side.
For Barcelona, the victory also carried psychological weight. Real Madrid had applied pressure the day before with a routine 2-0 win over Espanyol, keeping their perfect record intact. Barcelona needed to respond, and they did so convincingly. The Catalans now sit just two points behind the league leaders, ensuring that the title race remains tightly poised in its early stages. Villarreal and Espanyol, both with 10 points, trail slightly behind but remain competitive in the upper reaches of the table.
As for Getafe, this match exposed the limitations of a side that had started the season brightly but struggled against one of the league’s true heavyweights. They have now suffered their second defeat of the campaign and remain eighth with nine points. Their resilience and organization were evident in patches, but they could not cope with Barcelona’s relentless attacking combinations and pressing intensity.
Looking ahead, Barcelona’s immediate challenge will be maintaining consistency. The temporary Johan Cruyff Stadium may lack the grandeur of Camp Nou, but it has already witnessed two dominant displays that have boosted confidence within the squad. Once the renovations are complete and the team can return to their spiritual home, the atmosphere could provide an additional push in their pursuit of silverware.
With Torres rediscovering form, Olmo continuing to impress, and Rashford waiting to make amends for his off-field slip, Barcelona appear to have the depth required to compete across all fronts this season. Real Madrid may currently lead the standings, but the Blaugrana’s message with this 3-0 win was clear: they remain very much in the hunt for La Liga glory.
Updated: 10:14, 22 Sep 2025
