Barcelona survive late fightback to move three points clear of Realpublished at 17:35 BST
FT: Levante 2-4 Barcelona
Barcelona survived a late fightback from Levante to continue their perfect start to the La Liga campaign and move three points clear of Real Madrid at the top of the table.
The defending champions appeared to be cruising towards a fifth consecutive league victory when Lamine Yamal scored his second goal of the game, and Barcelona’s third, from the penalty spot just three minutes into the second half.
The Spain international’s first strike had come after a cut-back from Raphinha, adding to the opener scored by fellow teenager Xavi Espart.
However, the home side were handed a lifeline when Barcelona began to lose their focus and composure, allowing substitute Ivan Romero to pounce on a defensive error from Espart and pull one back with 11 minutes remaining.
That goal sparked Levante into life, and less than nine minutes later they were celebrating again as Roger Brugue bundled home from close range to set up a nervy finale at the Estadio Ciudad de Valencia.
But Hansi Flick’s side held their nerve and sealed all three points in second-half stoppage time when substitute Karim Adeyemi fired past Matthew Ryan to restore Barcelona’s two-goal cushion.
Barcelona are next in action against Racing Santander on Wednesday (20:30 BST).