Robert Lewandowski's brace secured a 2-1 victory for Hansi Flick's Barcelona against Valencia in their La Liga opener at Mestalla. After Hugo Duro opened the scoring for Valencia just before halftime, Lewandowski equalized in stoppage time and converted a penalty early in the second half. This match marked Flick's first competitive game as Barcelona's head coach, and despite missing key players like Frenkie de Jong and Gavi, he opted to field three 17-year-olds, including rising star Lamine Yamal. Lewandowski emphasized the importance of scoring early in the season for building confidence. The match showcased Barcelona's resilience, especially in the second half, where they dominated possession and created significant scoring opportunities. The win sets a positive tone for Barcelona's campaign against reigning champions Real Madrid, who were set to play the following day.