Barcelona vs. Real Valladolid score: High-flying Lewandowski leads Blaugrana past newly-promoted La Liga side

Kyle Bonn

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Barcelona vs. Real Valladolid score: High-flying Lewandowski leads Blaugrana past newly-promoted La Liga side image

Barcelona found out on Thursday that they were drawn in what many consider to be the Group of Death in this year’s Champions League alongside Bayern Munich and Inter Milan.

If Sunday’s proceedings at Camp Nou are any indication, the Blaugrana are up for the challenge.

Barcelona torched newly-promoted Real Valladolid 4-0 behind a second-straight brace from Robert Lewandowski, and appear to be a real contender in both the Spanish top-flight and the European tournament.

Lewandowski’s brace provided his first competitive goals at the Camp Nou, with Barcelona fans treated to a glittering performance by all of their attackers. The Polish talisman was supported by Ousmane Dembele and Raphinha, and both covered themselves in glory at various stages.

Raphinha fed Lewandowski with exquisite crosses for multiple chances, picking up the assist on Barcelona’s first goal. Meanwhile, Dembele’s brilliantly threaded passes earned him assists on the final two strikes, feeding Pedri for the second and Lewandoski for the third.

Barcelona have a league match against Sevilla next weekend before beginning their Champions League campaign against Viktoria Plzen on September 7. Meanwhile, Real Valladolid continue the search for their first win of the season as they take on Almeria next weekend in La Liga.

MORE: Barcelona drawn in Champions League Group of Death alongside Bayern, Inter

The Sporting News will be following the match live and providing score updates, commentary and highlights as they happen.

Barcelona vs. Real Valladolid final score

  1H 2H Final
Barcelona 2 2 4
Real Valladolid 0 0 0

Goals:
24th min — BAR — Robert Lewandowski
43rd min — BAR — Pedri
65th min — BAR — Robert Lewandowski
90+2 min — BAR — Sergi Roberto

Barcelona attack is the deepest in Spain

Thanks to the prolific summer transfer window, Barcelona now unquestionably have the deepest attack in La Liga, with more depth than even Real Madrid.

Raphinha, Dembele, and Ansu Fati are all world-class players who can tear any team apart, while Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Memphis Depay provide cover should they remain at Camp Nou. Ferran Torres has played sparingly, and looks off the pace, but still remains a top talent.

There's no other attack in Spain — and maybe even in Europe — that can rival the depth that Barcelona have.

Robert Lewandowski hasn't lost a step

Barcelona's new Polish talisman may be 34 years old as he begins his La Liga journey, but it's clear he hasn't lost a single step.

Lewandowski was a contributor to just about every dangerous Barcelona move, capable of both providing passes and finishing chances in world-class style. His first goal came off a high-flying ninja kick that beat the goalkeeper to a curling ball, and his second was a stunning back-heel that bamboozled his defender.

There's nobody that can rival the toolbox of finishing techniques Lewandowski possesses, and it shows week-in and week-out.

Barcelona vs. Real Valladolid live updates, highlights, commentary

FULL-TIME: Barcelona 4-0 Real Valladolid

It's a comprehensive destruction as Robert Lewandowski produced a masterclass to earn Barcelona a 4-0 victory over Real Valladolid. The visitors never had a chance, torn to shreds on multiple occasions by world-class passing and jaw-dropping finishing.

Barcelona look up for the Champions League challenge against the likes of Bayern Munich and Inter Milan. Real Valladolid, meanwhile, were no match for the Blaugrana, and will need to go back to the drawing board to produce their first win of the season.

90th min: GOAL, BARCELONA! A cherry on top of this spectacular performance comes via Sergi Roberto. The cross from Ferran Torres down the right isn't exactly brilliant, but somehow squirts through the entire Valladolid defense. Lewandowski, searching for his hat-trick, redirects the delivery on frame, but Masip makes the save off the crossbar. It falls right into the lap of Sergi Roberto who can't miss — and doesn't — with the goal now free of obstruction.

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84th min: A high-quality volley from Mesa rips a shot just over ter Stegen's crossbar. Valladolid are pushing for a consolation late on. The broadcasters rightly mention that Pedri looks absolutely exhausted, but Xavi has used all five substitutes.

79th min: Busquets off to save the 34-year-old's legs, with new Barcelona midfielder Franck Kessie on.

Upon the restart, there's an awful challenge from Kike Perez on Ansu Fati who stamps straight on the youngster's ankle, late to challenge a pass. Kike earns a yellow card for his services. Thankfully it looks like Fati doesn't suffer too much as a consequence.

72nd min: Chance, Barcelona! The hosts, seemingly insulted that Valladolid would look to blemish the clean sheet, attempt to punish the visitors for their insolence. Lewandowski finds Ansu Fati one-on-one down the left, and he cuts into the middle and tests Masip from the penalty spot. It's a good save, but a poor attempt from Fati who should have scored, but struck it right at the goalkeeper.

69th min: Chance, Valladolid! A triple save from Barcelona to keep Valladolid out! It's by far the visitors' best attack, and Marc-Andre ter Stegen is there to hold the clean sheet, with help from his defensive line. The German is first required to save from a tight angle down the Valladolid left, and Oscar Plano's follow-up is blocked heroically on the line by Kounde. Ter Stegen is required again moments later to stop a third effort, this one from deep via Mesa.

65th min: GOAL, BARCELONA! This one's done and dusted, and it's Robert Lewandowski again, on the double for the second week in a row.

Barca's third is created down the right with Dembele, and the Frenchman slips another incredible pass in to Lewandowski. The Polish striker produces an utterly spectacular finish, creatively backheeling the ball through the defender's legs and inside the far post. Incredible stuff.

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61st min: Barcelona make their first substitutions. Raphinha comes off for Ansu Fati, Araujo comes off for Sergi Roberto, and Gavi is withdrawn for Frenkie de Jong. The introduction of Roberto will likely see him move to right-back, with Kounde moving to center-back.

57th min: The substitutions for Valladolid have afforded the visitors more time on the ball and calmness in possession, but it has hardly neutered Barcelona's attack. The Blaugrana are still finding themselves raiding the Valladolid penalty area often, although to no effect yet here in the second half.

46th min: To get the second half started, Valladolid have made a pair of substitutions to try and change the tide. Monchu is withdrawn, as captain Roque Mesa is introduced. Oscar Plano is also brought on, in place of Aguado.

HALFTIME: Barcelona 2-0 Real Valladolid

It's the conclusion of a 45-minute onslaught from Barcelona, with the visitors lucky to be trailing by just two.

Robert Lewandowski got his first Camp Nou goal, while Ousmane Dembele and Raphinha were both fantastic as they swapped flanks throughout. A comprehensive opening 45 minutes from Barcelona, who look ready for the Champions League Group of Death to begin play.

45+3 min: In the best chance for Valladolid of the first half, just moments before the break, Guardiola comes very close to meeting a cross at the back post. Instead, Eric Garcia comes flying in to produce a safety-first header over the end line to concede a corner. The set-piece comes to nothing.

43rd min: GOAL, BARCELONA! Play has been restarted as both players appear to be fit to continue. Barcelona go right back to peppering the Valladolid 18-yard-box, and immediately they double the lead. Ousmane Dembele, switched to the right, cuts inside at the top of the penalty area and slices through the defense with a brilliant square cut pass. Pedri, making the streaking run, meets it and blasts the ball into the back of the net.

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39th min: There's a significant delay as Valladolid's central defenders are involved in a friendly-fire clash of heads. Both are down as the referee immediately stops play and gestures vociferously for the medical staff to enter the pitch.

35th min: Barcelona continue to probe for a second as the visitors can barely hang on. A bevy of crosses from each flank continue to pepper the Valladolid penalty area. Dembele takes a shot from the top of the box but it's saved by Masip.

24th min: GOAL, BARCELONA! The hosts have been deserving of an opening goal, and it's finally arrived thanks to the talisman Robert Lewandowski, who opens his Camp Nou account. The delivery came from the right and Raphinha, who curled one to perfection, and the Polish star met it at the far post. Perfectly crafted opener.

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22nd min: Barcelona hit the frame again, as Lewandowski squares to Dembele for a shot from the left-hand edge of the penalty area. It clatters the top-left corner, although it never truly felt like it had a chance. The hosts are continuing to search for the opening goal.

17th min: Barcelona are probing down both flanks, and it has generated a bevy of early corners, up to 6 of them already for the hosts. Still no breakthrough.

12th min: Chance, Barcelona! How did that stay out?!?!?! The hosts have had the lion's share of attacking possession, but it hadn't really produced much until 12 minutes in and it's a mystery how the ball doesn't end up in the back of the net.

A fantastic cross from Raphinha on the right met the head of Lewandowski who rose high to snag it. It hits the inside of the left post, into the goalkeeper, and somehow skitters straight along the goal line. Lewandowski tried to get a follow-up to it but it bounced harmlessly away. Look how close it was!

1st min: The match is under way at the Camp Nou! Looks like Kounde is actually playing at right-back, with Ronald Araujo at center-back alongside Eric Garcia. Interesting move by Xavi, with Sergino Dest still frozen out.

Pre-Match: Barcelona vs. Real Valladolid (kickoff at 7:30pm local CEST)

15 mins to kick: Barcelona have won 14 of the last 15 meetings with Real Valladolid, with just a 1-0 league defeat in 2014 as the only blemish. It will take a heroic effort for the newly-promoted side to buck that trend today!

26 mins to kick: Barcelona midfielder Gavi, still just 18 years old, will reach a half-century of Spanish top flight appearances today. Quite the accomplishment.

30 mins to kick: Barcelona Femeni star Alexia Putellas is presented to fans after winning UEFA Best Female Player of the Year award during the Champions League draw on Thursday. She's still recovering from a torn ACL suffered in the run-up to the Euro 2022.

55 mins to kick: Starters are in, and new signing Jules Kounde, just registered for La Liga action, is in the lineup for Barcelona. He partners with Eric Garcia in defense, dropping Andreas Christensen to the bench. Kounde struggled at times as he earned minutes in the midweek charity friendly against Man City, it will be interesting to see how he performs against Real Valladolid.

For Valladolid, it's nearly the same lineup from last match, with just captain Roque Mesa dropping to the bench in midfield, with 22-year-old Monchu favored.

87 mins to kick: It's been a warm day in Spain, which will likely see water breaks taken in both halves. Currently, it's 84°F/29°C in Barcelona, with temperatures steadily sliding lower through the evening. Appears to be some slight wind too.

110 mins to kick: Real Valladolid will be glad not to see Lionel Messi in the opposition squad as the two teams meet in La Liga play. The former Barcelona superstar scored eight goals in 11 league matches against Real Valladolid, but his terrorizing didn't end there. He had moments of brilliance, such as this incredible run to assist a goal by Pedro back in May of 2010. Messi would also bag a brace in this match as Barcelona won 4-0.

120 mins to kick: Barcelona manager Xavi will have fond memories of matching up against Real Valladolid, having scored his first-ever La Liga goal for Barcelona against the side.

Barcelona vs. Real Valladolid lineups & team news

Having seen Samuel Umtiti leave on loan for Italian side Lecce, Barca were able at last to complete the registration of defender Jules Kounde. The defender will now make his debut this weekend, replacing Andreas Christensen who is ill.

The introduction of young winger Ansu Fati was critical to the 4-1 victory over Real Sociedad last weekend, but he begins yet again on the bench. Ferran Torres, the man he replaced last weekend, has been ineffective so far, and he drops out as well. Xavi has a weekly decision to make between right-sided wingers Raphinha and Ousmane Dembele, although this time he gives both a start, with one to play on the left.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Frenkie de Jong, both of whom are linked with moves to other clubs this summer, don't feature from the start, with Robert Lewandowski leading the line and Sergio Busquets back from suspension. Sergino Dest is another who could depart after not being left out of the squad for the third straight league match.

Young left-back Alex Balde played very well against Real Sociedad, starting over Jordi Alba, and could be given another opportunity to be a difference-maker. Eric Garcia and Andreas Christensen have been Xavi's preferred center-back pairing thus far, preferred over longtime Barcelona veteran Gerard Pique.

Barcelona starting lineup (4-3-3): Ter Stegen (GK) — Balde, Garcia, Kounde, Araujo — Gavi, Busquets, Pedri — Dembele, Lewandowski, Raphinha.

Barcelona subs (12): Pena (GK), Tenas (GK), Alba, Pique, Roberto, Pjanic, Kessie, de Jong, Fati, F. Torres, Depay, Aubameyang.

It's possible that Real Valladolid manager Pacheta makes a change in goal. Starter Sergio Asenjo made a massive error late last weekend allowing Sevilla to level the score at 1-1 and earn a draw. Asenjo, acquired this summer from Villarreal after he lost his place there, could be replaced by long-time Valladolid goalkeeper Jordi Masip who started through last season's promotion campaign and has been with the club since a move from Barcelona in 2017.

Elsewhere, center-back Jawad El Yamiq is suspended for the match after receiving a red card in last weekend's game. He was sent off from the bench after already having been substituted off, red carded alongside Sevilla defender Marcos Acuna, who had also already been withdrawn.

Striker Sergi Guardiola, back from his loan last year at Rayo Vallecano, is yet to get off the mark this season. Former Sevilla and Swansea field general Roque Mesa is the club's captain, but he drops to the bench surprisingly for Monchu in midfield.

Real Valladolid projected starting lineup (4-3-3): Masip (GK) — Escudero, J. Fernandez, J. Sanchez, L. Perez — Aguado, Monchu, K. Perez — Anuar, Guardiola, I. Sanchez.

Real Valladolid subs (11): (Lineups released one hour prior to kickoff)

How to watch Barcelona vs. Real Valladolid

  UK USA Canada Australia
Date Sun, Aug. 28 Sun, Aug. 28 Sun, Aug. 28 Mon, Aug. 29
Time 18:30 BST 13:30 ET 13:30 ET 03:30 AEST
TV channel Premier Sports 1, LaLigaTV  — TSN4  —
Streaming Premier Player HD ESPN+ TSN.com, TSN app Optus Sport

UK: Sunday's match between Barcelona and Real Valladolid from Camp Nou will be broadcast in the United Kingdom on Premier Sports 1 and LaLigaTV, with streaming available on Premier Player HD.

USA: La Liga matches all season long can be seen in the United States exclusively on ESPN's subscription-based streaming service ESPN+.

Canada: La Liga matches can be seen in Canada all season long on TSN, with this particular match available on TSN4, as well as streaming on TSN.com and the TSN app.

Australia: Australia's sole broadcaster for La Liga is Optus Sport, who also carries the Premier League after signing a new deal with the English top flight through 2028.

MORE: Barcelona draw 3-3 with Man City in midweek charity match to benefit ALS research

Barcelona vs. Real Valladolid betting odds, lines, picks & prediction

Odds via DraftKings (USA), Sports Interaction (Canada), & SkyBet (UK).

Like La Real, Valladolid could give Barcelona trouble with a tenacious showing in midfield, but it likely won't last.

The Catalan side are too strong and too talented to be held down for long, and the options for Xavi off the bench are unmatched in European play. Expect Barcelona to overwhelm the newly-promoted side in the second half.

Pick: Highest scoring half — 2nd half (-115 on DraftKings)

Prediction: Barcelona 3-0 Real Valladolid

  DraftKings Sports
Interaction		 SkyBet
Barcelona win -700 1.14 1/8
Draw +700 7.42 15/2
Real Valladolid win +1200 15.00 18/1
Both teams
to score Y / N		 +120 / -150 2.01 / 1.63 11/10, 4/6
Over / Under
3.5 goals		 -105 / -130 1.94 / 1.81 4/5, 10/11
Barcelona -2.5 +110 2.14 —
Real Valladolid +2.5 -150 1.69 —

Kyle Bonn

Kyle Bonn Photo

Kyle Bonn, is a Syracuse University broadcast journalism graduate with over a decade of experience covering soccer globally. Kyle specializes in soccer tactics and betting, with a degree in data analytics. Kyle also does TV broadcasts for Wake Forest soccer, and has had previous stops with NBC Soccer and IMG College. When not covering the game, he has long enjoyed loyalty to the New York Giants, Yankees, and Fulham. Kyle enjoys playing racquetball and video games when not watching or covering sports.