Barcelona returned to the top of La Liga on Sunday with a convincing 3–0 victory over relegation-threatened Levante, taking advantage of Real Madrid’s surprise defeat a day earlier.
Goals from Marc Bernal, Frenkie de Jong and Fermín López ended Barcelona’s two-match losing run and moved the Catalan club one point clear of Madrid, who had won eight straight league games before losing 2–1 at Osasuna.
“We knew it wouldn’t be easy after two defeats, but the team reacted very well,” said Barcelona coach Hansi Flick.
Barcelona had gone into the match after a 2–1 league loss to Girona and a heavy 4–0 defeat to Atletico Madrid in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-finals. Sunday’s win also brought only their second clean sheet in seven matches across all competitions.
Teenager Marc Bernal opened the scoring in the fourth minute at the Camp Nou, finishing from close range. It was the 18-year-old’s second goal for the senior team this season.
“They had an early chance, but the goal helped us settle and gain confidence,” Bernal said.
De Jong doubled the lead in the 32nd minute with a calm finish inside the box, and López sealed the win late on with a long-range strike in the 81st minute that went in off the post.
Levante goalkeeper Mathew Ryan prevented a heavier defeat with two fine saves in the closing minutes, denying Raphinha and then López again.
The loss was Levante’s fourth in a row. They sit 19th in the table, just one point above bottom-placed Oviedo, who have a game in hand.
Barcelona also welcomed back Pedri, who returned from injury in the 66th minute. Young star Lamine Yamal marked his 100th career win for the club, becoming the youngest player to reach the milestone.
Elsewhere in La Liga, Villarreal came from behind to beat Valencia 2–1 and stay third, while Atletico Madrid defeated Espanyol 4–2. Celta Vigo ended a four-match winless run by beating Mallorca 2–0, with veteran Iago Aspas scoring twice late on.
Sevilla edged past 10-man Getafe 1–0, with Djibril Sow scoring the winner, leaving Sevilla 11th in the standings.
Comment
