Barcelona produced a remarkable comeback against Levante in a dramatic La Liga clash that ended 3-2 in favor of the Catalans. The match was packed with goals, VAR drama, and a last-minute winner that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
For football followers searching for Levante vs Barcelona highlights or the latest Barcelona match updates, here’s a full breakdown of how the action unfolded.
First Half: Levante Shock Barcelona with Quickfire Goals
Levante started brightly, pressing high and exploiting gaps in Barcelona’s defense. Jose Luis Morales thought he had put the hosts ahead in the ninth minute, only for VAR to rule the goal offside.
Minutes later, Levante got their reward. Manuel Sanchez robbed Lamine Yamal of possession before crossing to Jeremy Toljan, who set up Ivan Romero for a composed finish past Joan Garcia to make it 1-0.
Barcelona pushed forward with their familiar tiki-taka style, but struggled to create clear chances. Ferran Torres came closest, rattling the crossbar with a fierce shot.
Just before halftime, more drama arrived. Morales’ strike struck Alejandro Balde’s arm, and after a lengthy VAR check, the referee awarded Levante a penalty. Morales converted coolly to double the lead and send Levante into the break 2-0 up.
Stat insight: Levante scored twice from just 0.8 expected goals (xG), highlighting their ruthless efficiency in the opening half.
Second Half: Barcelona’s Spirit Turns the Game Around
Hansi Flick’s halftime changes sparked a response. In the 48th minute, Pedri pulled one back with a stunning long-range strike that flew into the top corner—undoubtedly one of the goals of the week in La Liga.
Just three minutes later, Barcelona leveled. Lamine Yamal delivered a perfect corner, and Ferran Torres volleyed home with precision to make it 2-2. The equalizer showcased Barça’s set-piece preparation and Torres’ sharp instincts.
The match looked destined for a draw until late drama struck in stoppage time. Under pressure from Barça’s attack, Levante defender Elgezabal headed the ball past his own goalkeeper, handing Barcelona a 3-2 victory.
Key Takeaways: Barcelona’s Resilience in the La Liga Title Race
- Comeback Kings: Under Flick, Barcelona have developed a habit of rescuing games from losing positions.
- Pedri & Yamal Shine: The young stars continue to play crucial roles in Barça’s attack.
- Title Momentum: With this comeback win, Barcelona stay firmly in the La Liga title race.
This thrilling Levante vs Barcelona match had everything fans love about Spanish football—goals, controversy, and last-minute drama. Barça’s ability to fight back underlines their credentials as serious contenders for the 2025/26 La Liga crown.
Levante 2-3 Barcelona – Match Statistics |
||
---|---|---|
Levante | Statistic | Barcelona |
18 | Possession (%) | 82 |
8 | Shots | 26 |
5 | Shots on Target | 10 |
0 | Corners | 11 |
9 | Saves | 3 |
3 | Yellow Cards | 1 |
Player Ratings: Who Stood Out?
Levante Player Ratings
- GK: Pablo Cunat (7/10)
Made several sharp saves to keep Levante in the game. Couldn’t do much about Pedri’s rocket or Torres’ volley, and was unfortunate with the own goal. - RWB: Jeremy Toljan (7/10)
Set up Romero’s opener with a clever cutback. Solid defensively but faded in the second half as Barcelona turned up the heat. - CB: Adrian De La Fuente (7.5/10)
A rock at the heart of Levante’s defense, making crucial blocks and interceptions. His physicality frustrated Barcelona’s forwards. - CB: Unai Elgezabal (5/10)
Worked tirelessly but will be haunted by the own goal that gifted Barça the win. Otherwise, held his own against a potent attack. - CB: Jorge Cabello (6.5/10)
Struggled with Yamal’s pace but made important clearances. Limited in possession, like most of Levante’s backline. - LWB: Manuel Sanchez (7.5/10)
Sparked the opening goal with a tenacious run and cross. Kept Yamal in check for much of the game, a tough task for any defender. - CM: Oriol Rey (6.5/10)
Ran hard in midfield but offered little creatively. Focused on breaking up Barcelona’s rhythm. - CM: Pablo Martinez (7.5/10)
A warrior in midfield, combining defensive grit with timely support for his backline. One of Levante’s standout performers. - RW: Roger Brugue (7/10)
Missed a golden chance in the second half but worked tirelessly. Showed flashes of quality despite limited service. - ST: Ivan Romero (8/10)
Took his goal beautifully and led the line with intelligent hold-up play. A constant menace and Levante’s most creative outlet. - LW: Jose Luis Morales (8/10)
At 38, the veteran showed he’s still got it. Scored from the spot and caused havoc with his movement. Unlucky to have a goal disallowed. - Substitutes (Carlos Alvarez, Carlos Espi, Iker Losada, Diego Pampin, Victor Garcia: N/A)
Limited impact after coming on, with Levante unable to regain control late in the game.
Barcelona Player Ratings
- GK: Joan Garcia (8/10)
Made crucial saves and was composed in possession. A reassuring presence between the sticks. - RB: Eric Garcia (7.5/10)
Defended well and contributed going forward with dangerous crosses. A versatile display. - CB: Ronald Araujo (7.5/10)
Recovered well after Levante’s counter-attacks and was confident on the ball. A leader at the back. - CB: Pau Cubarsi (7/10)
Exposed at times by Levante’s pace but showed composure in possession. A learning curve for the young defender. - LB: Alejandro Balde (7/10)
Unfortunate to concede a penalty but was otherwise solid, bombing forward and defending diligently. - CM: Marc Casado (7/10)
Tidy in midfield before being subbed at halftime. A steady, if unspectacular, showing. - CM: Pedri (8.5/10 – Man of the Match)
Ran the show in midfield and produced a world-class goal to spark the comeback. His vision and technique were pivotal. - AM: Raphinha (7.5/10)
Grew into the game, tormenting Levante’s defense with his dribbling and movement. A key figure in the second half. - RW: Lamine Yamal (8/10)
At just 18, Yamal’s pace and trickery were unplayable at times. His corner for Torres’ goal was inch-perfect. - ST: Ferran Torres (8/10)
Struggled early but delivered when it mattered with a clinical volley. Showed his value to Flick’s system. - LW: Marcus Rashford (5.5/10)
Disappointing display from the Englishman. A poor pass nearly cost Barça, and his impact was minimal despite a few decent crosses. - Substitutes
- Dani Olmo (7/10): Added dynamism and creativity after coming on, creating chances for teammates.
- Gavi (6.5/10): Energetic but lacked end product in his cameo.
- Andreas Christensen, Robert Lewandowski, Jule
What’s Next for Both Teams?
Barcelona’s win keeps them firmly in the La Liga title race, with upcoming matches against Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid looming large. Fans searching for Barcelona next match or La Liga standings will be keen to see if Flick’s side can maintain this momentum. However, concerns linger over Marcus Rashford’s form, with questions about his role in the starting XI.
Levante, despite the loss, showed they can compete with the best. Their next challenge is to convert spirited performances into points as they aim to climb from mid-table. Morales and Romero remain key figures, but defensive lapses, like Elgezabal’s own goal, must be addressed.
Injury watch: No new injuries were reported, but Barcelona will monitor Alejandro Balde’s fitness after a physical battle. Levante’s squad appears fully fit heading into their next fixture.