Barca cruised past Levante at half speed and climbed back to first place

Yesterday’s catastrophic defeat of Real Madrid by Osasuna was eagerly seized upon by Barca. True, Hansi Flick’s team hasn’t been in great form, having lost their previous two matches to Atletico Madrid and Girona, but they handled Levante with ease. In the end, three goals in the visitors’ net and three points for the home side—three points that send them back to the top of La Liga.

Barcelona started at lightning speed and could have opened the scoring within the first minute. Carlos Alvarez found himself one-on-one with Levante goalkeeper Joan Garcia after a quick break, but his shot was weak and easily caught, giving the hosts a lucky reprieve.

Just three minutes later, Barca struck. After a brilliant move orchestrated by Joao Cancelo on the left wing, Eric picked up the ball following the first corner. His precise cross found Bernal, who finished with a toe-poke from a striker’s position to make it 1–0. The goal highlighted another excellent team move and continued Bernal’s streak at Camp Nou, having scored in previous matches against Mallorca.

By the 8th minute, Barcelona had two more very clear chances. Raphinha intercepted a pass from Maturro to Ryan and tried an acrobatic shot, only to be denied by the goalkeeper. The rebound fell to Lewandowski, who attempted a volley with Ryan out of position, but it bounced over the crossbar.

Levante had their first real opportunity in the 15th minute when Romero played a perfect pass to Olasagasti, whose shot was bravely blocked by Joan Garcia, preventing an equalizer.

Barcelona continued to pressure, and in the 27th minute, Cancelo delivered a dangerous cross that hit the post. The ball spun just out of Lewandowski’s reach and fooled Ryan, crashing against the base of the post – another narrow miss for Barca.

In the 32nd minute, Barcelona doubled their lead. Arriving from midfield, Frenkie de Jong met a pinpoint cross from Cancelo and finished first-time in the six-yard box, making it 2–0. Cancelo’s influence on the game was clear, orchestrating much of Barca’s attacking play.

The first half ended with another near miss for Levante in the 38th minute. Lamine Yamal unleashed a venomous, angled looping shot that left Ryan beaten, only to go just wide of the post.

The second half saw a continuation of Barcelona’s control, though the early minutes were marked by a few missed opportunities. In the 50th minute, Joao Cancelo had a chance from the edge of the box after a rehearsed corner, but his shot from a promising position went well wide.

Eight minutes later, Dani Olmo tried his luck inside the area following another fluid team move, but like Lewandowski earlier, he hesitated and his effort lacked power and direction, failing to trouble Joan Garcia.

Barcelona’s fans had a special moment in the 67th minute as Pedri returned from a month-long absence. The Camp Nou erupted in cheers, giving him a standing ovation and lifting the team’s spirits.

Levante had a rare chance in the 69th minute when Cortes fired at goal, but Joan Garcia made a brave save, catching the ball after a corner was awarded.

Finally, in the 81st minute, Barcelona sealed the victory. Fermin converted a short corner from Yamal, unleashing a powerful left-footed strike from outside the box that hit the post and went in, making it 3–0. It was a moment of relief for Barca, as this time the shot went in instead of just rattling the post.

LA LIGA - MATCHDAY 25

Friday

Athletic Bilbao - Elche 2-1 (0-0)

/Guruzeta 64, 89 pen - Silva 68 pen/

Saturday

Real Sociedad - Oviedo 3-3 (0-0)

/Oskarsson 64, 90, Caleta-Car 87 - Vinas 50,52, Bailly 90+2/

Betis - Rayo Vallecano 1-1 (1-1)

/Bakambu 16 - Palazon 42/

Osasuna - Real Madrid 2-1 (1-0)

/Budimir 38 pen, Garcia Ra. 90 - Vinicius Jr 73/

Atletico Madrid - Espanyol 4-2 (1-1)

/Sorloth 21, 72, Simeone 49, Lookman 58 - Jofre 6, Exposito 80/

Sunday

Getafe - Sevilla 0-1 (0-0)

/Sow 64/

Barcelona - Levante 3-0 (2-0)

/Bernal 4, De Jong 32, Lopez 81/

20.30: (1.85) Celta (3.60) Mallorca (4.80)

23.00: (1.75) Villareal (3.85) Valencia (5.00)

Monday

23.00: (2.40) Alaves (3.05) Girona (3.50)

***odds are subject to change***