Barcelona Thrash Como 5-0 to Claim Joan Gamper Trophy 2025

On August 10, 2025, FC Barcelona delivered a commanding performance, defeating Como 1907 5-0 in the Joan Gamper Trophy at the Estadi Johan Cruyff. The annual pre-season friendly, marking the 60th edition of the prestigious trophy, showcased Barcelona’s attacking prowess and set an optimistic tone for their upcoming LaLiga campaign. With standout performances from Lamine Yamal and Fermín López, who both scored twice, and a notable contribution from Marcus Rashford, Barcelona dominated their Serie A opponents in front of an enthusiastic home crowd.

Match Summary

Barcelona’s high-pressing style overwhelmed Como from the outset, leading to a flurry of goals in the first half. The scoring began in the 21st minute when Fermín López capitalized on a loose pass, driving into the penalty area and firing a low, left-footed shot past Como’s goalkeeper Jean Butez. López added a second in the 35th minute, curling an exquisite shot to double Barcelona’s lead. Two minutes later, Raphinha joined the scoresheet, converting a precise cross from Marcus Rashford, who made history as the first male English player to start for Barcelona since Gary Lineker in 1989. Lamine Yamal capped the first-half rout with a tap-in goal in the 42nd minute, giving Barcelona a 4-0 lead at halftime.

The second half saw Yamal complete his brace just four minutes after the restart, sweeping home a first-time shot from a Ferran Torres pass. Despite a raft of substitutions, including the introduction of Martin, Dro, Christensen, Roony, and Fernandez, Barcelona maintained their dominance, securing a 5-0 victory. Como, managed by former Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fàbregas, struggled to counter Barcelona’s relentless pressing and attacking fluidity, managing only one shot on target throughout the match.

Key Moments

21’: GOAL! Barcelona 1-0 Como – Fermín López opens the scoring with a low, left-footed strike after a loose pass from Como.
35’: GOAL! Barcelona 2-0 Como – López curls in a stunning second goal, showcasing his ball-striking ability.
37’: GOAL! Barcelona 3-0 Como – Raphinha scores from close range, assisted by Marcus Rashford’s pinpoint cross.
42’: GOAL! Barcelona 4-0 Como – Lamine Yamal taps in after a well-worked move, giving Barcelona a commanding lead.
49’: GOAL! Barcelona 5-0 Como – Yamal completes his brace with a clinical left-footed finish from a Ferran Torres pass.
Halftime: Barcelona’s new pressing structure, with more players in the front line, led to multiple turnovers and four goals, highlighting their dominance.
Second Half Substitutions: Barcelona introduced Martin, Dro, Christensen, Roony, and Fernandez, replacing Yamal, Araujo, López, Raphinha, and Balde, maintaining control despite the changes.

Team Lineups

Barcelona Starting XI: Joan Garcia; Eric, Cubarsi, Araujo, Balde; Frenkie de Jong, Pedri, Fermín López; Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, Marcus Rashford.
Substitutes: Gavi, Ferran Torres, Iñaki Peña, Christensen, Casado, Roony, Kounde, Szczesny, Jofre, Dro, Fernandez, Guille, Kochen, Fort, Martin.

Como Starting XI: Jean Butez; Kempf, Goldaniga, Smolcic; Caqueret, Perrone, Moreno, Da Cunha; Rodriguez, Cutrone, Diao.
Notable Players: Como’s lineup included former Barcelona players Sergi Roberto and Alex Valle, with Cesc Fàbregas as manager.

Key Performances

Lamine Yamal: The 18-year-old Spanish sensation underscored his Ballon d’Or candidacy with two goals and a dynamic display, earning praise from analysts like Craig Burley.
Fermín López: López’s brace showcased his game-changing ball-striking ability, cementing his role in Hansi Flick’s squad.
Marcus Rashford: On his first start for Barcelona, the on-loan Manchester United forward provided an assist for Raphinha’s goal, marking a significant moment in his integration into the squad.
Hansi Flick: Barcelona’s manager praised the team’s preparation and fan support, emphasizing their readiness for the LaLiga season.
Cesc Fàbregas: Como’s manager expressed excitement about facing his former club but acknowledged the challenge, noting Barcelona’s high-pressing style and defensive solidity.

Match Context

The Joan Gamper Trophy, held at the 6,000-capacity Estadi Johan Cruyff due to ongoing renovations at Camp Nou, served as Barcelona’s final pre-season test before their LaLiga opener against Mallorca on August 16, 2025. Barcelona entered the match in fine form, having won all three pre-season games, including victories over Vissel Kobe and FC Seoul in South Korea. Como, meanwhile, also boasted a 100% pre-season record, with wins against Lille, Al-Ahli, Ajax, and Real Betis, making their defeat a stark contrast to their earlier performances.

Despite missing key players like Robert Lewandowski (hamstring injury), Marc ter Stegen (back surgery), and Marc Bernal (knee injury recovery), Barcelona’s depth and tactical cohesion under Hansi Flick were evident. The match also highlighted the club’s youth talent, with Yamal and López stepping up in the absence of senior stars.

Statistics

Ball Possession: Barcelona 55%, Como 45%
Total Shots: Barcelona 3, Como 1 (0 on target for Como)
Completed Passes: Barcelona 109 (89%), Como 86 (84%)
Offsides: Barcelona 0, Como 4
Corner Kicks: Barcelona 1, Como 1
Fouls: Barcelona 3, Como 1

Post-Match Reactions

Hansi Flick addressed the crowd, expressing gratitude for their support and outlining his ambitions for the season: “We’ll work hard and without excuses. We want to win many matches and many titles. Long live Barça and long live Catalunya.” Social media posts on X reflected Barcelona’s dominance, with fans and analysts praising the team’s pressing structure and the performances of Yamal, López, and Rashford.

Cesc Fàbregas, despite the loss, remained optimistic about Como’s project, highlighting their growth and defined playing style. He expressed admiration for Flick’s tactics, particularly Barcelona’s high defensive line and pressing intensity.

Where to Watch

The match was broadcast in the USA via Movistar Liga de Campeones, but it was not available for live streaming on YouTube. Fans could follow live updates through platforms like Sportstar, VAVEL, and SofaScore.

Conclusion

Barcelona’s 5-0 victory over Como in the Joan Gamper Trophy 2025 was a statement of intent ahead of the 2025/26 LaLiga season. With Lamine Yamal and Fermín López leading the charge and Marcus Rashford making an immediate impact, Hansi Flick’s side demonstrated their attacking depth and tactical discipline. As they prepare to face Mallorca in their LaLiga opener, Barcelona’s performance suggests they are ready to challenge for titles, even without key players. For Como, the match was a learning experience, with Cesc Fàbregas’ young squad showing promise despite the heavy defeat.