Barcelona produced an impressive second half rally to snatch a thrilling 3-2 La Liga win away at rivals Levante.
Match Report
On the back of a routine 3-0 win away at Mallorca on the opening weekend, a trip to Valencia looked to be another straightforward trip for Hansi Flick, as part of a strong start to 2025/26.
However, the hosts had other ideas as they cruised into a shock 2-0 lead at half time thanks to Ivan Romero crisp clos range finish on 15 minutes.
There was no debating Romero’s goal, particularly with the Barcelona defence caught out by a rapid Levante counter attack, but their second goal was filled with controversy.
Jose Luis Morlaes’ strike hit Alejandro Balde on the arm, and despite Barcelona’s appeals of it being accidently, a VAR review ended in Morales converting from the penalty spot.
Incensed by the decision, Barcelona roared into life after the restart, via an immediate reaction to pull level at 2-2.
Pedri grabbed his first goal of the season as the Spain international rocketed an effort into the top corner from 25 yards and Ferran Torres quickly swept home Raphinha’s corner to make the game level.
Torres second goal in as many games justified his manager’s call to keep him in the starting XI despite a few early missed chances.
As the clock ticked down, the chances flowed for Barcelona, with Torres and Lamine Yamal both kept out by Pablo Campos in the Levante goal.
Flick brought Robert Lewandowski on with 14 minutes remaining after the Poland international was not deemed to be quite ready to start following a muscle strain in preseason.
However, it was a Levante player who sealed the result in Barcelona’s favour, as Lamine Yamal’s teasing cross deflected off Unai Elgezabal for an own goal, which broke Levante hearts in added time.
Up next for Barcelona, before the September international break, is a trip to Rayo Vallecano on August 31.
Match Events
0' The match is about to start!
8' Jose Morales slots past Joan Garcis but the flag goes up
13' Balde drills one towards goal but it bounces off Elgezabal and drifts just wide
15' GOAL! Toljan picks out Iván Romero who opens the scoring! Levante 1-0 Barcelona
20' Highlight from Levante vs Barcelona
32' Morales can't get the ball under control to shoot and Casado is able to get back
42' CLOSE! Adrian de la Fuente misses a huge chance to make it 2-0
45' Balde's cross finds Raphinha, who puts his header wide!
49' WHAT A GOAL! Pedri pulls one back from distance! Levante 2-1 Barcelona
51' Penalty Goal! Balde had a handball and Morales scores! Levante 2-0 Barcelona
52' Barca equalize in 3 mins! Ferran volleys home from corner! Levante 2-2 Barcelona
57' Olmo picks out Garcia in the box but the defenders flick drops into the keeper
70' Raphinha lofts a ball into the box but Ferran's header is easy for Campos
72' Campos sweeps the corner away and then dives on Olmo's strike
76' Here comes Lewandowksi and Christensen for Balde and Araujo
84' Raphinha smashes it goal wards, it takes a nick and Pablo Campos keeps it out
91' OWN GOAL! Yamal's cross flicks off the head of Elgezabal! Levante 2-3 Barcelona
Line-ups
Levante XI: Toljan, Morales, Unai Elgezabal, Roger Brugué, Oriol Rey, Pablo Martínez, De la Fuente, Manu Sanchez, Iván Romero, Pablo Campos, Jorge Cabello
Subs: Sergio Lozano, Pampín, Víctor García, Losada, Carlos Álvarez, Álex Primo, Matías Moreno, Paco Cortés, Carlos Espí, Nacho Pérez
Barcelona XI: Rashford, Ferran Torres, Raphinha, Araujo, Eric Garcia, Pedri, Joan García, Balde, Casado, Yamal, Cubarsi
Subs: Lewandowski, Christensen, Olmo, Pena, Kounde, Gavi, Fermín López, Diego Kochen, Dro Fernández, Toni Fernández, Jofre Torrents
Lauralee
346
No Barcelona fan will skip this post. Let's get our magician 500 likes ❤️❤️
AFerRckz9833
273
Are you not entertained!!!
Davichi
246
Despite the efforts of the referee and VAR to ensure Barca loses, the champions of La liga got a well deserved 3 points. ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Oloriburkuniyin
232
Some likes for this shark 🦈
nasbeat
212
the kings of remontada's are back 👑👑👑
__Here_we_go__
158
what a comeback 🔥🔥🫡
dougiefresh
153
Ran the middle of the pitch, scored a golazo and was named MOTM. Another game, another masterclass by Pedri 💎
AngelBhusalBarçafan
118
Ref tried to rob us but we still prevail. Good to see that the comeback mentality is still there but gotta fix that defense. Also haters go back to sleep 😝 Some were on my replies on the comment I made on penalty.
Malengejoseph
91
best yamal
S_drip
86
Remontada 😎
Solomonkkk
78
We gonna work on our defence but still VISCA BARCA❤️💙❤️
Taylour
76
Bring it out... King of REMONTADA 👏
jakdmostz
60
No Barcelona fan will skip❤️💙
Dilanilo
51
Comeback is coming Complete
Doxmang
49
HANSI FLICK HAS PUT A MENTALITY IN BARÇA THAT IS IS SIMPLY UNMATCHED BY ANY OTHER TEAM IN WORLD FOOTBALL! NO MATTER HOW MANY SETBACKS THEY FACE, THEY ALWAYS COME BACK DURING GAMES! 🔥💃🏻❤️👉
Armourer
25
You can find every gif of nice goals here: http://www.goalgif.xyz/v2/live/matchGifs?match_id=54173331&language=en
zoackorsz
16
Are you not entertained!!!
Yeah I'm well entertained most especially the Pedri goal, it is simply out of these World 🌎 of football
seaknoty
14
Are you not entertained!!!
We are
Emergency911
13
haters gonna die
Besckmrtz
12
Araujo needs to be benched forever, Christensen is more calm and composed
Nam_So
10
Levante did a good job, but that's life. Sometimes you win, sometimes you ronaldo.
Doxmang
10
Same referee, different decision😂😳💁💃🏻👉👉😁
Cekabcpsy
8
I sympathize with all Real Madrid fans and other football fraternity who wanted Barcelona to lose this epic battle today..... That's how we do it. Barcelona will remain on top of La Liga table till May next year. Screenshot my comment and remind me when necessity arise. For us Manchester United, we are not going to fight for top 4 finish but the premier league tittle itself.
Abbajonas
9
All this small clubs knows how to break our hearts. me as a Madrid fan I've been rejoicing from the 1st half just in less than 10 minutes of 2nd half Barca scored 2 goals ok. even when I'm saying let it draw they score their self...😭😭😭
Tidabdikot
9
Are you not entertained!!!
GLADIATOR.....
lahanlyon2000
9
Barcelona didnt give me a chance to troll them
mishaelmaik
8
Who else noticed that the referees shirt is confusing with the levante shirt
AFerRckz9833
8
entertain with this your anti football play offside tactics always.
Cmon man, it is a tactic within the rules of the game!
sunglex
7
Actually Barca should give a penalty lavente defence touch hand ball and VAR and ref don't check it's really funny ref and VAR always against Barca
Nam_So
8
Remember this wasn't a penalty!. Its not about the rules, its about the color of Jersey
Ibrahim626
7
𝟐-𝟎 𝐈𝐒 𝐀 𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐘 𝐃𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐒 𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐀𝐆𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐒𝐓 𝐁𝐀𝐑𝐂𝐄𝐋𝐎𝐍𝐀 🔥💪
AFerRckz9833
8
GLADIATOR.....
This is why we are here!!!
Davichi
7
Wonderful comeback today... 😍 Yamal needs to play more with the team. He's becoming too obsessed with creating chances to score himself.
Omarnor
8
This is the team that owns remontada 🤣
bospeter9
7
Best entertaining match and a great comeback by my precious team[ko] mes que en club
Boi-Shapi
7
Visca Barca ❤️💙 Barcelona will be a nightmare to so many clubs in la laliga this season 🔥
MWDAI
7
Absolute Cinema. what a comeback. Haters cry now 😅😅😅😅
Duabilnrt
8
the ref was on a mission