At the Ciutat de Valencia stadium on 23/8, Barca played decently but conceded two goals due to defensive errors. In the 15th minute, Ivan Romero feigned a move past Pau Cubarsi inside the box and then slotted the ball into the far corner to open the scoring.
In stoppage time, VAR intervened, determining that Alejandro Balde had handled the ball in the penalty area, awarding Levante a penalty. Jose Luis Morales converted the penalty, sending the ball to the right, giving Levante a two-goal lead going into halftime.
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Ivan Romero opens the scoring with a diagonal shot in Levante's 2-3 loss to Barca in the second round of La Liga at Ciutat de Valencia stadium, Spain on 23/8/2025. Photo: LaPresse |
Ivan Romero opens the scoring with a diagonal shot in Levante's 2-3 loss to Barca in the second round of La Liga at Ciutat de Valencia stadium, Spain on 23/8/2025. Photo: LaPresse
However, the tide turned in the second half. In the 49th minute, from a pass by Lamine Yamal, Pedri unleashed a powerful shot from 25 meters out, sending the ball into the top corner, leaving goalkeeper Pablo Campos with no chance.
Three minutes later, Raphinha's corner kick from the right wing found Ferran Torres, who volleyed the ball into the roof of the Levante net. The Spanish forward effectively filled in for the injured Robert Lewandowski, having also scored in the opening 3-0 victory against Mallorca.
The climax arrived in stoppage time. Lamine Yamal delivered a cross from the right wing into the box, and defender Unai Elgezabal, in an attempt to block Torres, headed the ball into his own net, completing Barca's comeback.
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Ferran Torres celebrates the equalizing goal to make it 2-2. Photo: LaPresse |
Ferran Torres celebrates the equalizing goal to make it 2-2. Photo: LaPresse
Barca has won their last three matches after being two goals down, against Atletico (4-2), Celta Vigo (4-3), and Real Madrid (4-3) in the 2024-2025 La Liga season. However, this is the first time in the 21st century that Barca has won after trailing 0-2 at halftime in La Liga. Previously, they had drawn one and lost 12 in similar situations.
In this match, Marcus Rashford started in his preferred left-wing forward position. The English player had a quiet game, with 41 touches and one shot on target, before being substituted for Dani Olmo at the start of the second half.
Barca will visit Rayo Vallecano in the third round of La Liga on 31/8.
Hong Duy
