September 8: A Stunning 5-0 Win! Five Records Unlocked in One Match! Barcelona Shut Out Valencia, Player Ratings Released, Best Player Emerges_Fermin_La Liga_Raphinha

At 22:15 on September 6, 2026, that powerful strike at Mestalla Stadium was so fierce that it seemed to make VAR question itself.

In the 84th minute, Olmo played a diagonal pass from the top of the box, and Yamal finished with a shot at the far post. The referee was about to blow the whistle and rule it offside. After reviewing the replay, the video assistant referee confirmed the goal was valid, making it 5-0. Valencia's players stood there looking stunned.

After the match, Barcelona were suddenly written into five different records overnight.

After the match, La Liga officially announced Fermin as the best player of the game.

Many found the decision surprising. Yamal scored twice and received a team-high rating of 9.0. Fermin was rated 8.8, with one goal and two assists.

But when you look closely at Fermin's performance sheet, it becomes clear why La Liga handed him the MVP award.

He recorded four shots, three on target, five dribble attempts with three successful, four key passes, and created two big chances. His xG was only 0.45, while his xA soared to 0.99. His passing accuracy was 85%, completing 40 of 47 passes. In the opponent's half, he completed 31 of 38 passes at an 82% success rate. He had 67 touches, carried the ball 116.2 meters, and won three of six ground duels.

Most importantly, when he was substituted in the 75th minute, Barcelona were already leading 3-0. That meant Fermin directly contributed to three goals in less than 80 minutes on the pitch.

After four rounds of the new season, Fermin had produced four goals and two assists. According to Dongqiudi statistics, he became the first Spanish player since Fabregas in the 2011-12 season to contribute to six goals in the first four rounds. The last Barcelona player to score four goals in the first four rounds was Fabregas 14 years earlier.

In the 50th minute, Fermin crossed from the right and Raphinha calmly finished into an empty net.

With that goal, Raphinha scored in four consecutive La Liga opening matches. Only five players in Barcelona history had previously achieved this: Cesar Rodriguez, Kubala, Cayetano Re, Ibrahimovic, and Fabregas. In the 21st century, only Messi had previously scored in four consecutive opening matches across all competitions for Barcelona, doing so in 2011-12 and 2012-13.

More importantly, Raphinha had already scored six goals and provided one assist in four La Liga matches.

In 21st-century La Liga, the last Barcelona player to score six goals in the first four rounds was Messi. Messi also achieved it in two consecutive seasons, 2012-13 and 2013-14. Raphinha became the second player.

This goal was also Raphinha's 50th La Liga goal for Barcelona. He entered the club's list of Brazilian players with 50 La Liga goals, ranking fifth. The four names ahead of him are all legendary: Rivaldo with 86 goals, Evaristo with 78, Ronaldinho with 69, and Neymar with 68.

A Brazilian player had joined that list.

Anthony Gordon received only a 6.5 rating in this match, second-lowest on the team.

Yet it was Gordon who laid the ball back inside the box in the 22nd minute, allowing Fermin to shoot first-time and make it 2-0.

That assist brought Gordon's La Liga career total to four assists in his first four matches. Since the 21st century, only three players have provided four assists in their first four La Liga appearances. The other two are Fabregas and Suarez, both achieving it during their time at Barcelona.

A 6.5 rating, but a historic record. That is what makes football fascinating.

Barcelona's starting XI in this match had a combined market value of 900 million euros, with an average age of 23.7.

Goalkeeper Joan Garcia received a 7.9 rating. In defense, Espart received 7.2, Gerard Martin 7.2, Cubarsi 7.7, and Eric Garcia 6.7. In midfield, Rodri received 7.3 in his first start after joining. Pedri received 8.2 and scored with a low shot after combining with Olmo in the 79th minute to make it 4-0.

In attack, Fermin received 8.8, Gordon 6.5, Raphinha 7.0, and Yamal 9.0.

Barcelona finished the match with 74% possession and 10 shots on target. Valencia had only two shots on target and 26% possession.

After four rounds, Barcelona had won all four matches, collected 12 points, scored 17 goals, and conceded only two. Real Madrid lost this round, allowing Barcelona to move three points clear of their rivals.

One more note: Eric Garcia was substituted for Kounde in the 29th minute due to injury. Gabriel Jesus came on as a substitute in the 81st minute, making his competitive debut after joining Barcelona.

In the 39th minute, Fermin performed a trick at the edge of the penalty area to beat a defender, then shot low toward the far corner, but the ball hit the post.

If that shot had gone in, Fermin would have finished with two goals and two assists.

Even without that goal, he still took home La Liga's official MVP award.

This leads to the question everyone is debating:

In one match, Yamal scored twice and received a 9.0 rating, while Fermin recorded one goal and two assists, earned an 8.8 rating, and won MVP. If you had to choose, who truly deserves the best player award? The scorer who changed the scoreboard, or the hidden contributor involved in the entire chain from creation to finishing?

Tell me your answer in the comments.