Barcelona have secured the perfect start to their La Liga title defence with a 1-0 lead at Mallorca after just seven minutes.

The pre-game focus was centred firmly on a player not included in Hansi Flick’s starting line up in Palma with Marcus Rashford named on the bench for the defending champions.

Rashford’s La Liga registration was signed off just before kick off but Flick opted against throwing him in from the start.

Instead it was two members of Barcelona’s deadly attack from last season who combined to cut Mallorca open early on.

Lamine Yamal carved out an angle from right-hand side and his perfect back post was powered home by Raphinha.

🚨🇪🇸 GOAL | Mallorca 0-1 Barcelona | Raphinha

RAPHINHA OPENS THE SCORING FOR BARCELONA !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LAMINE YAMAL WITH THE ASSIST !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

— Tekkers Foot (@tekkersfoot) August 16, 2025

A perfect start for Barcelona and Flick is expected to give Rashford some game time off the bench in the second half to hand the England international a La Liga debut for his new side.

Images via Getty Images/One Football