Last night marked the conclusion of Barcelona’s 2025-26 season, as they faced off against Valencia at Mestalla. The defending champions aimed to finish the season on a positive note.
In contrast, Valencia had greater stakes in the match, needing a victory to keep their hopes alive for a spot in the UEFA Conference League. For Barcelona, it was more about pride and securing a strong finish for the campaign.
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The first half ended in a stalemate, with both teams creating equal opportunities. However, the dynamics shifted in the second half, particularly after Barcelona made some defensive adjustments.
Following the break, Robert Lewandowski scored for Barcelona, putting them ahead, but Valencia quickly responded with two goals to take the lead. From that point onward, Barcelona struggled to regain their footing, ultimately conceding a late third goal.
Barça Universal presents player ratings from the match where Valencia triumphed 3-1 over Barcelona.
The veteran goalkeeper started ahead of Joan Garcia, who was presumably rested to safeguard his Zamora trophy.
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Despite limited playing time throughout the season, the Polish forward showcased sharp reflexes and impressive movements outside the box during the match.
Garcia delivered a strong performance at right-back, making crucial interceptions defensively and offering width and support during attacking plays. His distribution was precise, and he remained reliable in possession, often adjusting to a more central role as needed. The match dynamic changed noticeably following his substitution.
The Uruguayan defender excelled in defense against Valencia, staying alert, proactive, and quick to react to the opposition’s movements.
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In the first half alone, Araujo recorded eight defensive contributions, including two last-man tackles, while maintaining solid 98% passing accuracy. He was substituted at halftime, likely in consideration of the upcoming World Cup.
Gerard Martin: 6.5
After taking a blow to the face towards the end of the first half, Martin remained undeterred and continued to perform reliably. However, he began to show signs of fatigue after the hour mark, especially following the introduction of Andreas Christensen, struggling to defend against Valencia’s scoring opportunities.
Alejandro Balde: 5.5
Balde started ahead of Joao Cancelo. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)
Balde had one of the team’s best scoring opportunities in the first half but was unlucky as his shot hit the side netting. He was active in attack but had limited defensive responsibilities.
Balde demonstrated good synergy with Rashford and Ferran, even executing some good one-twos into the box. However, his defensive performance in the second half was less impressive.
Although Bernal did not make any glaring mistakes, he was quieter than usual in this match.
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He served as a reliable first line of defense and contributed to build-up plays, but struggled to connect effectively with teammates in attack. A rash tackle in the second half led to a penalty appeal, which was later ruled a free-kick.
The young star was given another start for Barcelona in their final match of the season, probably as a final effort to secure a place in the World Cup squad.
Gavi showcased resilience at Mestalla, contributing defensively while also playing deeper than usual. His presence helped to stabilize Barcelona’s attacks and build-up phases.
Olmo displayed energy in the box, creating problems for Valencia at times with his movement among defenders. However, he did not find himself in any promising scoring chances and mostly played a secondary role.
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Marcus Rashford: 6
Was this Rashford’s last appearance for Barcelona? (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)
The English forward often looked to cut inside and take shots on goal, but frequently lost possession in the process.
Rashford’s presence added pace and transitional threats to Barcelona’s attack, but his inability to maintain complete control of the ball was frustrating.
Ferran Torres: 7.5
The Shark aimed to net a goal to secure the Zarra trophy for himself and found himself in promising scoring positions throughout the match.
Unfortunately, he missed several opportunities and failed to hit the target, although he was involved in the buildup for the team’s opening goal.
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In addition to his offensive contributions, Torres was solid in his distribution and actively participated in pressing when out of possession.
Robert Lewandowski: 8
Lewandowski scored his final goal for Barcelona. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)
The veteran forward played his last match for Barcelona, eager to find the net and conclude an exceptional chapter of his career. He came close with a header in the first half that struck the crossbar.
Ultimately, he skillfully redirected Ferran’s volley into the net, marking his final goal for Barcelona in a memorable moment.
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Despite the emotions surrounding his farewell, Lewandowski was active and engaged, recording more touches than usual during the match.
Xavi Espart: 7
Xavi took over right-back duties in the second half but was responsible for the misplaced pass that led to Valencia’s equalizer. Overall, he performed decently but seemed a bit nervous with his distribution.