Despite Levante’s early shock with two first-half goals, Hansi Flick’s Barcelona produced a remarkable comeback to secure all three points.
From start to finish, Barcelona dominated possession and attacking play, yet found themselves trailing 2-0 at halftime. But Flick’s men showed resilience, turning the game around after the break to seal a 3-2 victory in Saturday night’s La Liga clash at Levante’s home ground.
Levante, returning to La Liga after three years, stunned the champions with goals from Iván Romero and José Luis Morales in the first half. However, Barcelona equalized quickly in the second half, scoring twice in just three minutes through Pedri and Ferran Torres. The decisive moment came in stoppage time when Levante defender Unai Elgezabal inadvertently scored an own goal, gifting Barça the win.
Barcelona completely controlled the match, enjoying nearly 83% possession, taking 26 shots with 10 on target, while Levante managed just 8 attempts, 5 of which were on goal.
The game began with relentless Barcelona pressure, keeping Levante pinned in their own half. Yet, in the 15th minute, Levante struck first on a swift counterattack. A cross from the left found Jeremy, who set up Iván Romero inside the box. Romero weaved past two defenders before finishing calmly from close range.
Barcelona had several chances to equalize, with Ferran Torres missing a clear opportunity in the 27th minute and later striking the crossbar in the 37th. Despite constant pressure, Levante doubled their lead in stoppage time of the first half when Morales converted a penalty after Alejandro Balde’s handball, confirmed by VAR.
The second half, however, belonged to Barcelona. In the 49th minute, Pedri unleashed a thunderous strike from 25 yards out after a pass from Lamine Yamal to pull one back. Just three minutes later, Ferran Torres volleyed in from close range after a Rafinha corner, making it 2-2.
Barcelona kept pushing, with chances falling to Eric García, Torres, and Dani Olmo, but Levante’s goalkeeper stood firm. Robert Lewandowski and Jules Koundé were brought on late as Barça chased the winner.
Finally, in stoppage time, Yamal whipped in a dangerous cross, and Elgezabal’s attempted clearance went horribly wrong as the ball deflected into his own net.
With this victory, Barcelona remain at the top of La Liga with six points from their opening two games, while Levante suffer their second straight defeat since returning to the top flight.
Do you want me to make a shorter news-style version under 250 words too? It’ll make it crisper and punchier.
