Barcelona secured a 3-0 victory over Levante at Camp Nou, returning to the top of La Liga after Real Madrid's defeat to Osasuna. The win ended Barcelona's two-game losing streak in competitive matches. Levante, struggling in the relegation zone, offered early threats but could not convert.
Barcelona hosted Levante at Camp Nou on February 22, 2026, in a La Liga match that kicked off at 3:15pm UK time. Coming into the game, Hansi Flick's side sought their first win in three outings following a 4-0 loss to Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey semi-finals and a 2-1 defeat to Girona in La Liga. Levante, winless in four league games and sitting 19th, seven points from safety, had conceded 41 goals in 24 matches, the worst defensive record in the division.
The confirmed lineups were: Barcelona with Joan Garcia in goal, defended by Jules Kounde, Eric Garcia, and Inigo Martinez, with Joao Cancelo at left-back; midfield featured Frenkie de Jong and Marc Bernal, alongside Dani Olmo; attack included Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski, and Raphinha. Levante lined up with Mat Ryan in goal, defended by Lukas Toljan, Sergi de la Fuente, and Mateo Matturro, with Ivan Sanchez at left-back; midfield had Joni Montoro (noted as Garcia in source, but context suggests), Carlos Alvarez, and others including Tunde and Romero.
Levante nearly stunned the home crowd in the first minute when Carlos Alvarez broke through one-on-one but shot straight at Joan Garcia. Barcelona responded swiftly, taking the lead in the fourth minute—Eric Garcia squared from the left for Marc Bernal to poke home, marking Barcelona's fastest league goal of the season.
Barcelona dominated possession, though Levante created breaks, with Joan Garcia saving well from Olasagasti midway through the first half. Wasteful finishing kept the score tight until the 32nd minute, when Joao Cancelo's left-wing delivery found Frenkie de Jong, who guided a finish into the corner for 2-0 at halftime.
The second half saw Barcelona push forward while Levante struggled to create clear chances. Mat Ryan made several saves, including a sharp double stop late on to deny Raphinha and Fermin Lopez. The third goal came in the 81st minute: Lamine Yamal set up Lopez, who cut inside and struck a long-range shot off the post.
This result allowed Barcelona to capitalize on Real Madrid's 2-1 loss to Osasuna, reclaiming the top spot. Historically, Barcelona have lost just six of 46 meetings with Levante across competitions, including a 3-2 win in the reverse fixture this season. Recent encounters have been high-scoring, with 19 goals in the last four.
