BARCELONA (Interstat) — Barcelona opened its La Liga season with a commanding 3-1 victory over Real Betis on Sunday at Spotify Camp Nou, riding a two-goal performance from forward Raphinha and a decisive strike from defender João Cancelo.

Raphinha struck twice in the first hour, first in the 28th minute and again in the 62nd, to put Barcelona firmly in control. The Brazilian winger, known for his pace and finishing, capitalized on early pressure from the home side. His first goal came after a sustained spell of possession, and his second doubled the advantage before Real Betis could settle into the match.

Jules Koundé set up the second goal, recording an assist from his defensive position. Koundé’s contribution was not limited to attack; he also drew a yellow card in the 38th minute for a tactical foul that halted a Betis counterattack.

Cancelo, another defender, added a third goal in the 74th minute, effectively sealing the result. The goal came from a well-timed run into the box, as Barcelona exploited space left by a tiring Betis defense. The visitors managed a consolation goal from substitute Isco, who came off the bench and found the net late, though the exact minute was not immediately available. Isco’s goal was the only one for Real Betis on the afternoon.

Barcelona’s victory marked a strong start to the new season across all competitions, improving their record to 1 win and 0 losses. Real Betis, meanwhile, dropped to 0 wins and 1 loss in the league and in all competitions, leaving the Seville-based side searching for answers after a disappointing opening day.

Neither team entered the match with any notable rankings in the league table, as the season was just beginning. The game was the first of the campaign for both clubs, with Barcelona aiming to reassert itself as a title contender after a mixed previous season.

Key match statistics underlined Barcelona’s dominance. The home side generated more clear-cut chances and controlled possession for long stretches. Raphinha’s brace was the highlight, but Cancelo’s goal from defense and Koundé’s assist demonstrated the depth of Barcelona’s attacking threat from the back line. Isco’s goal for Betis came against the run of play but gave the visitors a glimmer of hope before Barcelona reasserted control.

The yellow card issued to Koundé was the only booking of the match, indicating a relatively clean contest despite the competitive nature of the rivalry. Referees allowed play to flow for the most part, and neither team received a red card.

The match was played in front of a capacity crowd at Spotify Camp Nou, the iconic home venue in Barcelona. The atmosphere was electric as fans welcomed their team for the new season.

In pregame projections, Interstat’s game simulator had forecast a final score of Barcelona 2, Real Betis 1, one goal short of the actual outcome. Interstat’s ELO system assigned Barcelona a 97.00 percent probability to win the match, a figure that proved accurate as the hosts dominated from start to finish. The result moved Barcelona’s overall record to 1 win and 0 losses across all competitions, while Real Betis fell to 0 wins and 1 loss.

Barcelona will look to build on the momentum in their next fixture, while Real Betis will aim to correct its mistakes and earn its first points of the season. The early victory gives Barcelona an early edge in the La Liga standings, though it remains just one game into a long campaign.