Barcelona extended their unbeaten start to the La Liga season with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Levante at the Ciutat de València Stadium on Saturday night. The Catalans faced an uphill battle after a turbulent first half, trailing 2-0, but a revitalized second-half performance coupled with a dramatic late own goal handed them all three points on the road.
The first 45 minutes were a nightmare for Barça. Levante’s disciplined 5-4-1 formation frustrated the visitors, with sharp counter-attacks exposing Barcelona’s high defensive line. Romero’s opener came from a perfectly timed break, while Morales converted a contentious late penalty to double Levante’s lead, leaving the Catalans stunned and searching for answers at halftime.
Hansi Flick’s tactical tweaks at the break immediately paid dividends. Introducing Gavi and Olmo injected energy and precision into the midfield, allowing Pedri to strike from distance and ignite a comeback. Just minutes later, Ferran Torres’ volley from a Raphinha corner leveled the score, turning the stadium atmosphere and giving Barcelona renewed momentum.
Levante, however, did not fold easily. The home side had chances to retake the lead, but goalkeeper Joan Garcia made crucial saves, keeping the game level and setting the stage for an end-to-end finish. Despite several attacks from Barça, including headers from Ferran and a long-range effort by Olmo, Levante’s defense held firm until the dying moments.
The breakthrough came in stoppage time. Yamal’s cross intended for Ferran inadvertently struck Levante’s Elgezabal, resulting in a heartbreaking own goal for the hosts and a dramatic winner for Barcelona. The goal exemplified both the persistence of the visitors and the fine margins that often decide football matches.
