Joan Garcia 10, Fermin 9 | Espanyol 0-2 Barcelona: Player Ratings | OneFootball

The RCDE Stadium saw Barcelona take on Espanyol in their first game of 2026 last night in a match that was far tighter than recent Catalan derbies have been.

Both teams had their fair share of chances in the first-half which eventually ended goalless. Hansi Flick brought Fermin Lopez on for Rashford after the break, giving Barcelona a better structure to improve their potency in attack.

However, that too did not help Barcelona open the scoring as both goalkeeper produced stunning saves to keep their sides in the game.

In the end, however, Dani Olmo scored a stunning golazo out of virtually nothing in the dying minutes of the game to hand the team all three points. Lewandowski then doubled the lead minutes later.

Barça Universal brings you the player ratings from Espanyol 0-2 Barcelona.

Joan Garcia: 10

A 10/10 performance in the biggest game of his career yet. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

The former Espanyol goalkeeper had the spotlight shining bright on him throughout the game as he took to the field against his former team at the RCDE Stadium in a hostile atmosphere.

Despite having the pressure on him, however, Garcia was phenomenal in goal for Barcelona. He made one decent save and one extraordinary save in the first half, denying Espanyol a sure-shot goal with a reflex touch just past the half-hour mark.

Made yet another stunning save to deny a 1v1 situation for Espanyol, capping off a complete display. Ended the game with six saves from inside the box.

Alejandro Balde: 8

The full-back played a very attacking game against Espanyol, constantly pushing forward in attack and overlapping with Rashford to create an attacking threat.

His crosses lacked the juice required but his transition play was excellent.

Gerard Martin: 7

A defensive mainstay now. (Photo by Judit Cartiel/Getty Images)

Martin played out a decent game, read the proceedings well, and positioned himself with discipline. He was pushed by Garcia when he got in the way of the goalkeeper’s path to the ball and ended up inadvertently making a crucial save as well.

Pau Cubarsi: 7.5

Cubarsi looked far more composed than he did at the end of 2025, played with a clear head, and excelled with his decision-making and distribution. 

Did not jump into hasty challenges that could jeopardise the team’s chances but instead played the patient game and won the ball back eventually, playing it out with poise time and time again.

Jules Kounde: 7

Kounde too took up a relatively higher attacking responsibility on the night, albeit not as much as Balde was on the opposite flank.

He linked up well with Yamal in tight spaces but lacked the killer instinct with his crosses.

Eric Garcia: 8

Garcia started as a pivot once more for Barcelona and did a tidy job in maintaining possession and ensuring adequate ball-circulation.

Did a good defensive job as well, racking up yet another complete performance.

Frenkie de Jong: 7.5

The Dutchman started alongside Garcia in midfield and was tasked with leading the midfield as the manager opted to hand Pedri some additional rest.

De Jong did a good job in doing so, although one could argue that he should have played slightly more directly and with more verticality at times.

Lamine Yamal: 9

Barcelona’s best forward on the night by some distance. (Photo by Judit Cartiel/Getty Images)

Yamal was Barcelona’s most lively attacker throughout the first half as he constantly threatened to dribble down the right-flank and create chances with balls over the top. 

Took a couple of shots on goal which were the team’s only big chances of the first half. Kept up the same level of threat and chance creation after the break.

Raphinha: 7

The Brazilian was hidden for most of the first half as he was deployed in a central role and did not get on the ball half as much as he would have liked to.

Moved back to the wing after the break and played with renewed freedom and was taken off relatively early.

Marcus Rashford: 6.5

Rashford stretched Espanyol’s defence out decently, but his decision-making and ball-control were far from ideal and often directly led to Barcelona’s attack terminating prematurely. 

He often looked confused about his positioning when Balde pushed up high, highlighting an area the duo have to work on to prevent getting into the same spaces.

Ferran Torres: 6.5

The Spanish striker did not impress in the opening half, failing to control many of the balls into the box and even failing to link up with his teammates in tight positions in opposition territory. Further, he did not get on the ball as much as the manager would have liked.

Fermin Lopez: 9

The academy star brought more life to Barcelona’s attack but could not get into the opposition box and shooting chances like he usually does.

Eventually shifted to play on the wing in the final part of the game and earned the assist for the winner. Went on to create the team’s second goal all on his own and playing it wonderfully to Robert Lewandowski.

Dani Olmo: 8.5

The midfielder came on only for a relatively brief cameo but ended up with the winning goal to his name with a stunning finish from distance. Needed just one touch to convert the assist into a goal in the top bins.

Robert Lewandowski: 8

The Polish striker bundled the ball into the back of the net off Fermin Lopez’s assist to hand Barcelona a 2-0 lead and get on the scoresheet once more.