Barcelona extends perfect start with 4-2 win over Levante as Yamal scores twice

Barcelona's perfect start to the season survived a late scare on Sunday in Valencia, where they beat Levante 4-2 to extend their winning streak to six games across all competitions. The victory keeps them alone atop La Liga with five consecutive league wins, three points clear of Real Madrid, though the manner of it—nearly surrendering a comfortable lead in the final minutes—offered a reminder that even the season's most dominant team can wobble.

The match began exactly as Barcelona's form suggested it would. Within five minutes, Xavi Espart, the 19-year-old making his senior debut, collected a one-touch move at the edge of the box and fired past the goalkeeper with a slight deflection. It was his first goal at this level, and it set the tone for what looked like it might be a rout. Fourteen minutes later, Raphinha received a through ball from Fermin Lopez, controlled it with precision, and found Lamine Yamal unmarked in the centre of the box for a straightforward finish. Barcelona had dominated possession and looked to be in complete control.

Levante, however, refused to fold. Despite struggling early, they began to apply pressure as the first half wore on, finishing the opening 45 minutes with six attempts to Barcelona's three—a sign that the home side was finding their rhythm. Manager Hansi Flick made a precautionary change at the break, withdrawing Gerard Martin, who appeared to be limping, and replacing him with Andreas Christensen.

The second half began with immediate drama. Just 42 seconds after the restart, Aissa Mandi fouled Yamal in the box, and the Barcelona winger stepped up to convert the penalty. It was his third double of the La Liga season, and it seemed to have settled the contest decisively at 3-0. Yet Levante's belief did not disappear. An hour in, Victor Garcia beat goalkeeper Joan Garcia, only for Pau Cubarsi and Christensen to combine to clear the ball off the line. The hosts were genuinely threatening.

Barcelona's grip began to slip in the final stages. An errant pass from Espart in the 79th minute handed possession to Levante, and Ivan Romero capitalized, rounding Joan Garcia and slotting the ball into the net. Nine minutes later, Roger Brugue burst through Barcelona's defense to score again, pulling the deficit back to a single goal. What had looked like a comfortable evening for the visitors suddenly felt precarious, and the Levante crowd sensed it, their team fighting with genuine urgency.

Karim Adeyemi ended the drama in the 93rd minute, weaving through multiple challenges and finishing smartly to restore Barcelona's three-goal cushion. The home supporters, despite the loss, applauded their team's spirit, chanting "Levante" as Adeyemi celebrated. Barcelona had survived the test, though the late collapse raised questions about their defensive solidity when the pressure mounted.

The victory was built on the midfield assurance of Rodri and the relentless running of captain Raphinha, both central to Barcelona's control of the game. Yet the final scoreline—4-2 rather than a more commanding margin—suggested that even a team with Barcelona's early-season dominance cannot afford complacency. Three points clear at the top with five wins from five is a powerful position, but the manner in which Levante clawed their way back into the contest offered a cautionary note as the season deepens.