Gabriel Jesus scores in first Barcelona start as Raphinha replacement against Getafe

Jesus seizes his chance as Raphinha's stand-in

Gabriel Jesus made his first start for Barcelona in Saturday's comfortable victory over Getafe, stepping in for the injured Raphinha and producing a performance that has strengthened his case for a place in Tuesday's Champions League trip to Galatasaray.

The Brazilian not only found the net for the third time in the Blaugrana shirt with a fine solo goal, but delivered a complete display — drifting across the final third to link play and initiating Barcelona's high press from the front. On the evidence of his showing against Getafe, the new signing is firmly in contention to retain his spot against Galatasaray.

"How do you rate Gabriel Jesus' performance in first Barcelona start against Getafe?" the club's fan outlet posed, inviting supporters to weigh in on the display after a performance in which Jesus "had a complete display with his ability to move all over the final third to link up with his teammates and start the press high up the pitch."

The performance drew praise from head coach Hansi Flick, who on 2026-10-11 hailed Jesus's finishing after Barcelona's 3-0 win over Getafe at Camp Nou that extended their perfect start to the league season.

Jesus, a late-window arrival from Arsenal, had already made an instant impact with a goal two minutes and 14 seconds into his Champions League debut against Feyenoord on 2026-09-10 — falling just short of Barcelona's fastest-ever UCL debut goal record, held by Malcom since 2018.

According to a FotMob snapshot taken on 2026-10-10, Jesus had registered two goals in four LaLiga 2026-27 appearances before the Getafe clash, while Raphinha — the man he deputised for — had racked up 12 goals and three assists in seven league outings this term.

With Raphinha sidelined, the onus is on Jesus to keep delivering — and his first start suggests he intends to.