Defending champions Barcelona opened their La Liga season in dominant fashion Sunday, thrashing Elche 5-0 with two goals each from Raphinha and Fermin Lopez.

Earlier in the day, Atletico Madrid fought back to secure a 2-2 draw with Villarreal, managing the stalemate despite playing down a man after Robin Le Normand was red-carded.

Fresh off Real Madrid's narrow 2-1 win over Espanyol under Jose Mourinho, Barcelona laid down a marker with a dominant victory against Elche.

Karim Adeyemi marked his debut with a goal while another debutant Anthony Gordon contributed a pair of assists, allowing Hansi Flick to smartly managed his squad by benching several key players recovering from the World Cup.

Even with a subdued performance from Lamine Yamal following Spain's tournament triumph, Barcelona's emphatic display showed they won't surrender their crown without a fight.

"Five goals against this team is good, Elche play fantastic football," Flick told reporters.

"We are really happy that we won 5-0, three points, this is a fantastic start for us. It give us the confidence we need for the next matches."

Brazil international Raphinha lined up as the team's No. 9, after Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres left the club, and shone.

Barcelona are still looking for a striker after Atletico Madrid rejected their bid to sign Julian Alvarez.

"I'll leave that to the president," said Raphinha, when asked if Barca needed to sign a No. 9. "I am comfortable (anywhere) on the pitch."

Raphinha opened the scoring for Hansi Flick's side from a 14th-minute penalty after being brought down by Victor Chust.

Rapid winger Adeyemi, initially struggled on the left wing before finding his rhythm to double the lead before halftime, assisted unselfishly by Raphinha.

In an electric second-half substitute appearance, Anthony Gordon set up Raphinha's second and provided an assist for Fermin Lopez.

Youngster Xavi Espart then set up Lopez for his second, a sweet redemption after missing Spain's World Cup triumph due to injury, rounding off a dominant win.

"We ended up feeling good, it was a great game from the team, we're still getting up to speed and we have to carry on like this," said Lopez.

"I was really excited to start the season well, it was tough for me (this summer), and I'm happy."

Flick, Barcelona's high-pressing defense showed its trademark vulnerabilities at times, but goalkeeper Joan Garcia stood firm to secure a clean sheet with some crucial saves.

In Madrid, Giuliano Simeone rescued a draw for Atletico after penalties from Gerard Moreno and Georges Mikautadze overturned Marc Pubill's 59th-minute opener for Villarreal.

Atletico Madrid's Giuliano Simeone celebrates scoring their second goal against Villarreal Madrid, Spain, Aug. 23, 2026 (Reuters Photo)

During the match, Diego Simeone brought on Alvarez as a second-half substitute to a chorus of boos from the home crowd and the forward headed straight down the tunnel alone at the final whistle while his teammates went over to thank the fans.

"It wasn't Julian's decision, it was a decision from the club," said Diego Simeone.

"I think that we all have to be united, Julian is with us in the team, while he's here we will support him," Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak told DAZN.

"It's not a comfortable situation for anyone, I hope it's resolved and we're all happy at the end of the season."

Simeone began with Alvarez on the bench and fans jeered as his name was read aloud by the stadium announcer at the Metropolitano stadium, after his attempt to leave the club this summer amid interest from Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Atletico took the lead just before the hour mark when Spain defender Pubill scored from long range, curling powerfully into the top corner.

Moreno leveled from the penalty spot after Morten Hjulmand clumsily felled Tajon Buchanan.

Simeone then introduced Alvarez for his first appearance of the campaign amidst hostile reactions from the crowd.

Villarreal took the lead with another penalty, with 12 minutes remaining after Mikautadze had been shoved over by Le Normand, who was sent off. Mikautadze took the spot-kick himself and calmly slotted home.

With just five minutes left on the clock, Atletico playmaker Alex Baena set up manager Diego Simeone's son, Giuliano, to secure the equalizer.

In other La Liga action, Getafe edged past Racing Santander 1-0 courtesy of a late strike from Enes Ünal.