Barcelona commenced their La Liga title defense with a commanding 3-0 victory over Mallorca at the Estadi Mallorca Son Moix. The match, however, was far from straightforward, as Mallorca were reduced to nine men, contributing to a dramatic and eventful evening.

The defending champions wasted no time in asserting their dominance, with Raphinha finding the net in the seventh minute. The Brazilian winger headed home a sensational cross from Lamine Yamal, marking his first assist of the season, to give Barcelona an early lead. This goal also etched Raphinha's name in Barcelona's history books, making him the first Brazilian since Ronaldinho in 2007 to score the club's first goal of a La Liga season.

Barcelona doubled their advantage in the 23rd minute through Ferran Torres, although the goal was mired in controversy. A powerful shot from Yamal struck Mallorca's captain, Antonio Raíllo, in the face, leaving him injured on the ground. Despite the injury, the referee, José Luis Munuera Montero, allowed play to continue, and Torres unleashed a spectacular strike into the top corner. The decision sparked outrage among the Mallorca players and fans, who believed the game should have been stopped due to the head injury.

Mallorca's evening took a turn for the worse when Manu Morlanes received a second yellow card in the 33rd minute for a strong tackle on Yamal. Just six minutes later, Vedat Muriqi was shown a straight red card after a VAR review deemed his high challenge on Barcelona goalkeeper Joan Garcia to be dangerous. With two players sent off before halftime, Mallorca faced an uphill battle against the reigning champions.

The second half saw Barcelona in cruise control, as they managed the game with a two-man advantage. Barcelona coach Hansi Flick used the opportunity to rotate his squad and provide valuable minutes to his players. Despite Barcelona's dominance, Mallorca defended resolutely, preventing further damage until the final moments of the match.

In stoppage time, Lamine Yamal capped off his impressive performance with a goal of his own. The young winger cut in from the right and curled a shot into the far corner, sealing a 3-0 victory for Barcelona. Yamal's performance earned him high praise, with some ratings giving him a 9 out of 10.

Frenkie de Jong, typically a midfielder, was tested in a new role at center-back during the second half, showcasing his versatility. Barcelona's win propelled them to the top of the La Liga table provisionally, thanks to their superior goal difference.

Mallorca will be looking to bounce back from this defeat when they host Celta Vigo in their next La Liga match. Meanwhile, Barcelona will aim to continue their winning start to the season when they face Levante.