Barcelona maintained their perfect start to the season with a 4-2 victory over Levante in Valencia, as Lamine Yamal scored twice to help preserve their position at the top of La Liga.
Xavi Espart and Karim Adeyemi were also on target for Barcelona, who have won all six of their matches in all competitions. They have five league victories and lead Real Madrid by three points.
Barcelona took control after only five minutes when Espart finished a slick one-touch move from the edge of the penalty area, with his effort taking a slight deflection on its way in. It was the 19-year-old’s first senior goal.
The visitors doubled their advantage in the 19th minute. Raphinha brought down Fermin Lopez’s through ball and supplied Yamal, who had been left unmarked in the middle of the box and made no mistake.
Levante improved as the first half progressed and ended it with six attempts to Barcelona’s three, although they had not created a clear chance. Barcelona manager Hansi Flick also replaced the apparently injured Gerard Martin with Andreas Christensen at the interval.
Yamal struck again just 42 seconds after the restart, converting from the penalty spot after Aissa Mandi fouled him. The goal completed his third La Liga double of the season and restored Barcelona’s two-goal cushion.
Levante almost responded on the hour when Victor Garcia got beyond goalkeeper Joan Garcia. Pau Cubarsi helped block the effort before Christensen completed the clearance on the goal line.
Barcelona’s grip on the match weakened in the closing stages. An inaccurate pass from Espart in the 79th minute allowed Ivan Romero to round Joan Garcia and pull a goal back for the hosts.
Roger Brugue then cut through several Barcelona challenges and reduced the deficit to one in the 88th minute, raising the prospect of a Levante comeback.
That possibility ended in stoppage time when Adeyemi produced a mazy run before finishing in the 93rd minute. Levante supporters responded by chanting the club’s name as the German celebrated, despite their side’s defeat.
Barcelona ultimately secured a sixth successive win, with Rodri providing a composed presence in midfield and captain Raphinha contributing with tireless running.
