On the fifth matchday of the La Liga season, Barcelona played host to Real Betis at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys. The Catalan club was attempting to keep up with their archrivals Real Madrid at the top of the league.

Their shaky beginning to the season, which has been hampered by injuries, was ultimately followed by a performance that gave them some much-needed self-assurance against Los Verdiblancos, which resulted in a remarkable 5-0 win thanks to some strong defending and clinical attacking.

Even though Real Betis had some clear-cut chances of their own, the Catalans were able to hold on and claim the most certain win they have had so far this season, thanks to a performance that earned five stars.

The individual performances of the Catalans are broken down here, based on the match that took place on Saturday evening, an evening in which almost no one made a mistake.

Marc Andre ter Stegen: 7.5/10

Did not make a single mistake, passed the ball exceptionally well, and came up with a huge save to deny Willian Jose in the final moments of the first half to preserve Barcelona’s 2-0 advantage going into the halftime break.

Joao Cancelo: 9/10

Cancelo displayed his class on his debut start for Barcelona by making some fantastic driving runs towards the half of the opposing team. He also inverted the ball really well to help build numerical dominance for Barcelona in the midfield.

Also made some fantastic tackles and recoveries, one of which was especially vital and led to the first goal of the game.

Sparkling. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

He added the sweetener in the final ten minutes with another stellar run, a deadly feint and clinical finish to cap it all off.

Jules Kounde: 7.5/10

Even though there were a few tight moments, the Frenchman retained his steady performances at center back, demonstrating an outstanding degree of control while also carrying the ball forward and showcasing some fine passing. Even though there were a few tense moments, the Frenchman kept his consistent performances at center back.

Andreas Christensen: 8/10

Shrugged off injury concerns and produced a commanding presence at the back, as we have come to expect since last season.

The Dane was also credited with an assist for Robert Lewandowski’s goal to make it 2-0, one of 71 passes he completed with 96% accuracy.

Alejandro Balde: 7.5/10

Explosive as ever, Balde was a constant nuisance down the left flank, forcing the Real Betis midfielders and full-backs to take a step back, reducing their offensive threat and leading to some tentative defending.

Frenkie de Jong: 8/10

The 26-year-old’s fine form continued with another rock-solid display, as he circulated the ball well and was always available as an option going forward or when tracking back.

He made five recoveries, an interception, two clearances and won 100% of his duels.

Oriol Romeu: 8.5/10

Romeu’s masterful midfield performances continued, as he keeps proving himself as one of the revelations of the season.

The 31-year-old imposed himself defensively with some wonderful tackles and astute positioning while keeping things ticking with some wonderful circulation of the ball, even notching an assist with a great ball into the box for the opener.

Ferran Torres: 8.5/10

Looking to be a player reborn, Ferran was handed his first start of the campaign and he did not disappoint.

Worked hard off the ball, was sharp in his movement, and provided more attacking impetus than Barcelona have enjoyed recently.

Staggering mentality shift. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

And as if that was not enough, ‘the Shark’ scored a sensational free-kick as his last involvement of the game to cap things off, also breaking Barcelona’s jinx for goals from dead-balls since the departure of a certain Lionel Messi.

Gavi: 8/10

While tenacity has come to be the teenager’s middle name, Gavi continued to display his brilliance on the ball as well, making a couple of line-breaking passes, turning on a dime and creating space brilliantly aside from his usual intensity tracking back and in regaining possession.

Robert Lewandowski: 8/10

The Pole looked much more confident and involved than he has been for a while, slotting home Barcelona’s second with a lovely finish in a season that started off with a lot of concerns.

Today, however, his movement was better and he generally seemed a lot more involved in the play, liberated a lot by Joao Felix’s dynamism.

Joao Felix: 9/10

Another player making his first start for Barcelona, Felix cast aside all the clouds of doubt with an incredible performance, as the Portuguese looked the happiest – and deadliest – version of himself in weeks.

We might have a serious baller on our hands. (Photo by JOSEP LAGO/AFP via Getty Images)

Scoring the first after some deft reactions, Felix was a constant threat running with the ball, pulling out some wonderful tricks and flicks, as well as a terrific dummy for Lewandowski’s goal – as good as an assist itself.

SUBSTITUTES

Lamine Yamal: 6/10

A solid cameo from the young prodigy, as he kept up the attacking intensity and also treated the viewers with a lovely nutmeg.

Raphinha: 7/10

Talk about a superb return to action; Raphinha came back from his suspension in an electric cameo, scoring a great drive from outside the box just two minutes after his introduction.

Welcome back, Raph. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Ilkay Gundogan: 6.5/10

Assured on the ball and seemed unbothered by his back injury that had rendered him unable to start.

Marcos Alonso: 6/10

In a short and simple appearance off the bench, the Spaniard did not do much wrong and saw off the result.

Inigo Martinez: 5.5/10

Came on in the final 14 minutes and helped keep the clean sheet intact, but was also booked.