FC Barcelona treated their fans to a thrilling afternoon at Spotify Camp Nou, powering past Levante 3–0 and reclaiming the top spot in La Liga on Sunday, February 22, 2026. This commanding victory not only delivered crucial points but also injected renewed confidence into a squad that stumbled in recent weeks.
Barcelona surged ahead in the Spanish top flight thanks to goals from Marc Bernal, Frenkie de Jong, and Fermín López. Their collective effort underlined a comprehensive team performance and put Barcelona a point clear of bitter rivals Real Madrid, who fell 2–1 to Osasuna in their weekend fixture.
Early Setback Turned to Early Advantage
Levante started brightly and created an early chance that forced Barcelona goalkeeper Joan García into immediate action. Despite Levante’s early spark, Barcelona struck first. After just four minutes, Marc Bernal seized on a low cross from Eric García, sliding in to finish clinically from close range. The early goal calmed nerves at Camp Nou and put Barcelona firmly in control.
Bernal’s finish capped a swift transition after Levante failed to clear a dangerous ball into the box. His goal rewarded Barcelona’s patience and opened the door for more sustained pressure on the visitors.
De Jong Ends Drought, Doubles Lead
As the game progressed, Barcelona continued to build momentum. In the 32nd minute, midfielder Frenkie de Jong found space inside Levante’s penalty area and met a pinpoint cross from João Cancelo. De Jong’s strike nestled into the net to make it 2–0.
This finish marked De Jong’s first La Liga goal in over a year, breaking his personal drought and inspiring teammates and fans alike. Even though Barcelona controlled possession for much of the half, De Jong’s goal provided the cushion needed to dictate play and force Levante deeper into their own half.
López Caps Victory With a Thunderbolt
After the break, Barcelona remained dominant but found Levante’s defense resilient. The breakthrough came in the 81st minute when substitute Fermín López delivered a moment of brilliance. He unleashed a brilliant strike from the edge of the penalty area, aiming low and watching the ball cannon off the post and into the back of the net.
López’s goal sealed the 3–0 result and left Levante with no time to recover. His long-range effort showcased his composure and technical quality, giving Barcelona fans another reason to celebrate.
Tactical Control and Squad Depth
Throughout the match, Barcelona maintained superior possession and created numerous scoring opportunities. They attempted over 20 shots, while Levante managed only five, illustrating the gulf in performance between the title contenders and the relegation fight.
Barcelona’s head coach, Hansi Flick, deployed a tactical setup that balanced attacking flair with defensive discipline. The team used width effectively, created overlaps down the flanks, and sustained pressure on Levante’s defense throughout the 90 minutes.
Flick’s substitutions also paid dividends. Bringing López off the bench added a fresh dynamic to Barcelona’s attack, and it ultimately secured the third goal that ended any hope of a Levante comeback.
Capitalizing on Real Madrid’s Slip
Barcelona’s resurgence to the La Liga summit hinged not just on their own performance but also on the result from the weekend’s earlier matches. Real Madrid’s unexpected defeat at the hands of Osasuna opened the door for Barcelona to move ahead.
With 61 points from 25 games, Barcelona now leads the league by a single point. This slender advantage underscores the fierce title race unfolding across Spain’s top division, where every match carries heightened significance.
Levante’s Struggles Continue
For Levante, the defeat prolongs a difficult campaign. They remain deep in the relegation zone, positioned 19th with just 18 points. Their early effort showed promise, but they ultimately lacked the firepower and defensive solidity required to challenge the league leaders.
Former Arsenal goalkeeper Mathew Ryan made several impressive saves late in the match, including a double stop that earned praise from fans and analysts alike. Yet even Ryan’s efforts could not prevent the convincing Barcelona win.
Response After Recent Setbacks
This victory marked a crucial response from Barcelona following mixed results in recent matches. The team suffered back-to-back defeats — a 4–0 loss to Atlético Madrid in the Copa del Rey semifinal first leg and a 2–1 defeat at Girona in La Liga.
Rebounding so convincingly against Levante signals that Barcelona can fight through adversity and remain fierce contenders for the league title. Players and fans alike will take confidence from this complete performance, which balanced attacking flair with tactical control.
Young Talent and Rising Stars
The match also highlighted Barcelona’s blend of experience and youth. Marc Bernal continues to rise as a promising talent, making an impact soon after returning from injury. Meanwhile, Lamine Yamal, the club’s young star, celebrated his 100th win in official matches for Barcelona, becoming the youngest player in the club’s history to achieve that milestone.
These individual accomplishments add another layer of excitement to Barcelona’s season. They hint at a team that not only competes at the highest level now but also builds for sustained success in years to come.
What’s Next for Barcelona?
Looking ahead, Barcelona must maintain their strong form as the season heads into its final stretch. Real Madrid, Villarreal, and other contenders will keep challenging for supremacy. With momentum back on their side, Barcelona’s players and supporters will now focus on the next fixtures with renewed optimism and belief.
