Barcelona produced an impressive second half rally to snatch a thrilling 3-2 La Liga win away at rivals Levante.
2025/2026 La Liga
2-3
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