FC Barcelona kept up a perfect start to the season on Sunday, beating Levante 4-2 away from home in the fifth round of the Spanish La Liga. Levante are coached by the Portuguese manager Luís Castro.
Nineteen-year-old Xavi Espart opened the scoring after just five minutes, netting his first goal for the Barcelona first team. Lamine Yamal then struck twice, in the 19th minute and again in the 48th from a penalty, putting the match seemingly out of reach.
Levante still gave Barcelona a late scare. Iván Romero pulled a goal back in the 79th minute and Roger Brugué made it 4-2 in the 88th. Espart was substituted for João Cancelo in the 80th minute. German forward Karim Adeyemi settled the contest deep into stoppage time, scoring in the 90+3rd minute to secure the win for the Catalan side.
La Liga standings after round five
The result sent Barcelona top of the table with 15 points, three clear of Real Madrid, managed by José Mourinho. Levante, who had not lost since the opening round of the season, dropped to 13th place on five points.
Barcelona have now won all six matches they have played this season, five in the league and one in the Champions League. Across those games they have scored 26 goals and conceded just five.
Champions League trip to Sporting
Barcelona's next European fixture will take them to face Sporting in the Champions League on 20 January 2027.
Celta de Vigo and Malaga draw in Galicia
Elsewhere in La Liga, Celta de Vigo and Malaga remain without a win after playing out a 1-1 draw in Galicia. Ferran Jutglá put the home side ahead in the 41st minute before Adrian Nino equalised for Malaga in the 83rd.
Having played one more match than several of their rivals, Celta sit 15th with four points, while Malaga are two places further back with one point fewer.
