Spanish press hail Gordon's rapid Barcelona impact and urge Yamal to match his energy

Anthony Gordon took just one substitute appearance to earn a starting place at Barcelona, and his full La Liga debut delivered enough to win over the Spanish press. Hansi Flick handed the England winger his first competitive start in Thursday’s 2-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao, days after Gordon had set up two goals from the bench in a 5-0 league opener against Elche.

Gordon did not score or assist against Bilbao, but his performance drew a standing ovation from the Camp Nou crowd when he was replaced by Karim Adeyemi in the final ten minutes. Supporters had already been chanting his name earlier in the match, and the 25-year-old responded with a tap of the badge when he came to the touchline for a drink.

The moment that visibly frustrated Gordon came when Lamine Yamal chose not to roll the ball across for what would have been a straightforward tap-in. Sport magazine still rated him 7 out of 10, highlighting a smart nutmeg on Athletic striker Iñaki Williams among his standout contributions. “He did practically everything right — meaning he was just a fraction away from executing every play cleanly,” the outlet wrote. “It is only a matter of time before that happens; it is simply a question of rhythm, as he has already grasped his role on the left flank.”

AS focused on the growing partnership between Gordon and goalscorer Raphinha, while pointing the finger at Yamal to raise his level. “The Brazilian is constantly making runs, offering himself as an option, tracking back to defend, and leading the team. Moreover, he has found an ideal partner in Gordon, who speaks his language,” they wrote. “If Lamine were to adopt even a little of that energy, it would be a nightmare for opposing defences.”

Cope pundit Dani Senabre was equally effusive, drawing comparisons with former Barcelona players in his assessment of the former Newcastle United forward.

Gordon is still searching for his first La Liga goal, but the early signs suggest the transition from the Premier League has been smoother than many anticipated. With Raphinha in form and a settled role on the left flank already established, the pressure now appears to be on Yamal to integrate himself into the combinations his teammates are already building.