Raphinha produced a captain’s performance to drive Barcelona to a thumping win as Hansi Flick’s men opened their UEFA Champions League campaign in emphatic fashion against Feyenoord.

Skipper and stand-in striker Raphinha maintained his superb start to the season by putting Barcelona ahead within the opening minutes, before Karim Adeyemi added a spectacular second in the first half.

Raphinha struck again shortly after the restart, and Lamine Yamal’s free-kick made it four. Sem Steijn pulled one back with 10 minutes remaining, but Gabriel Jesus re-established the four-goal cushion as Barça eased to a comfortable win on Champions League Matchday One.

On a soaking wet evening at Spotify Camp Nou, the home side made the perfect start. Raphinha, who has been operating as the striker this season, dropped his shoulder as he cut inside, leaving two Feyenoord players sliding on the wet turf, before drilling past Tjark Ernst to hand Barça an early lead.

Although the hosts stayed in control of the match, Feyenoord did break sharply and appealed for a penalty, but both the referee and VAR dismissed the claim quickly.

And within two minutes, the visitors were 2-0 down. Karim Adeyemi collected the ball on the left and then unleashed a superb curling strike into the top corner, announcing himself in style to the Camp Nou crowd.

Chances kept arriving at both ends. Hadj Moussa burst through the Barcelona back line with pace, but Joan García produced an excellent reflex save to keep him out. At the other end, João Cancelo showed fine skill to drive into the box before hitting a powerful shot that brushed the outside of the post.

Ten minutes into the second half, captain Raphinha was on target again. Pedri threaded a brilliant pass through the Feyenoord defence to pick out the Brazilian’s run in behind, and he finished calmly for his second of the night, taking his tally to eight already this season.

Almost immediately after that, Nacho Ferri thought he had reduced the deficit for Feyenoord, but VAR ruled out the goal for an offside in the build-up.

Barcelona’s demolition job continued when Lamine Yamal joined the scoresheet. He stepped up and drove a free-kick through the split wall, beyond Ernst and into the corner, as the hosts netted their fourth.

The Dutch side did manage to score late on, with Sem Steijn tapping in from close range after Gonçalo Borges’ cross found the substitute at the back post, giving the visitors a consolation goal.

Barça restored their four-goal lead soon afterwards, as Yamal’s cross was glanced home by Gabriel Jesus. The Brazilian netted his first goal in Barcelona’s famous Blue and Red, sealing a comfortable opening victory in the process.