English Star Comes Off Bench as Nine-Man Mallorca Crumble in La Liga Opener”
Marcus Rashford took his first competitive steps as a Barcelona player on Monday night, coming off the bench in a comfortable 3-0 victory over nine-man Mallorca to kick off their La Liga campaign.
The Manchester United loanee, brought on in the 69th minute for goalscorer Ferran Torres, became the first Englishman to feature for Barça in a league match since Gary Lineker in 1989. After the game, an upbeat Rashford called it the “best way to start” in an Instagram post, signaling his excitement for this new chapter.
Red Cards Pave Way for Barça Control
The hosts’ resistance crumbled early when Manu Morlanes received two quick yellow cards, reducing Mallorca to 10 men after just 25 minutes. Their misery deepened before halftime as Vedat Muriqi’s yellow card was upgraded to red following a VAR review for a reckless challenge on Joan GarcÃa.
Raphinha had already given Barcelona the lead with a sharp header, before Torres doubled the advantage with a composed finish. The Blaugrana could have won by more—Raphinha and Dani Olmo both struck the woodwork—before teenage sensation Lamine Yamal sealed the win with a stoppage-time strike.
Rashford’s Fresh Start
While Rashford’s 20-minute cameo offered few clear chances, his mere presence marked a symbolic moment for both player and club. After a difficult season at Manchester United, the 26-year-old will hope this loan spell revitalizes his career under new boss Hansi Flick.
Barcelona’s next test comes against Real Betis, where Rashford will aim for a more impactful display. For now, though, the England international can celebrate a winning start to his Spanish adventure—even if his biggest contributions are yet to come.
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