Felix's Inspiring Performance Leads Barcelona to Dominant 5-0 Victory: Player Ratings

Barcelona made a dominant start to the new Champions League campaign with a thumping 5-0 victory over Royal Antwerp.

Joao Felix opened the scoring after ten minutes and set up Robert Lewandowski for a second shortly after, before Raphinha's cross fortuitously ended up in the back of the Antwerp net to make it 3-0 after 20 minutes.

The scoring was resumed early in the second half as Gavi finished off some penalty-box pinball, and Felix headed home a second shortly after the hour mark.

Antwerp threatened occasionally on the counter but Barcelona never looked in danger of losing their clean sheet on what was the perfect night for Xavi's side.

Both teams contributed to a fast start to proceedings, but Barcelona took control as Felix finished off an excellent passing move with a fierce strike ten minutes in.

Felix turned creator moments later as his cross found the boot of Lewandowski, who tapped home at the back post to double Barcelona's advantage, and Raphinha was off celebrating a goal of his own almost immediately after as his deflected cross soared into the back of the Antwerp net.

The shots weren't exactly flying in for Barcelona, whose attacking tempo dropped for the remainder of the first half, but they got things back on track nine minutes after the break as Gavi popped up to finish from close range.

Felix headed home Barcelona's fifth shortly after the hour mark, and Lamine Yamal nearly added a sixth but could only find the side netting from a tight angle after rounding the goalkeeper.

Like the first half, things slowed down after the early flurry of goals. Marc-Andre ter Stegen was needed to stop a rare Antwerp counter but Barcelona comfortably saw out a thoroughly deserved victory.