Barcelona delivered a dominant performance, securing a comfortable 3-0 victory over a struggling Levante side at Camp Nou. Marc Bernal, Frenkie de Jong, and Fermín López each found the net, ensuring all three points for the Catalan giants.
The La Liga clash on February 22, 2026, pitted second-place Barcelona against a Levante team languishing in 19th position. Barcelona entered the match with 58 points and strong home form. Levante, with just 18 points, faced an uphill battle from the outset.
Barcelona wasted no time establishing their authority. Just four minutes into the game, young midfielder Marc Bernal opened the scoring. He tucked away a precise finish after a clever assist from Eric García, igniting the Camp Nou faithful.
Levante attempted to respond but found themselves stifled by Barcelona's relentless pressing. Frustration grew for the visitors, with K. Tunde receiving a yellow card in the 20th minute for holding an opponent.
The home side extended their lead just past the half-hour mark. João Cancelo, surging forward from defence, delivered a pin-point assist that Frenkie de Jong calmly slotted home in the 32nd minute. This second goal further cemented Barcelona's control.
Barcelona continued to dictate play, dominating possession and creating further chances. Defender Gerard Martín picked up a yellow card in stoppage time of the first half, a rare disciplinary blemish for the hosts.
At halftime, Barcelona held a commanding 2-0 lead, leaving Levante with a daunting task. The visitors made a tactical substitution at the restart, bringing on V. Garcia in an effort to inject some urgency into their attack.
The second half saw Barcelona maintain their control, patiently moving the ball. Marc Bernal, after a spirited display, earned a yellow card in the 59th minute for a late challenge before being substituted shortly after.
Manager Xavi made a triple substitution in the 66th minute, introducing Robert Lewandowski, Pedri, and Dani Olmo. This fresh attacking impetus ensured Barcelona sustained their pressure, preventing Levante from finding a foothold.
Levante also made changes to refresh their lineup around the 70-minute mark, but they struggled to break down Barcelona's solid defence. Goalkeeper Joan García remained largely untroubled, making only two saves throughout the match.
Barcelona added a third goal in the 81st minute, putting the result beyond doubt. Substitute Fermín López fired home after an incisive pass from the dynamic Lamine Yamal, highlighting Barcelona's depth and attacking prowess.
Statistically, Barcelona utterly dominated the contest. They held 73% of possession, registered 22 total shots with 9 on target, and boasted an expected goals (xG) figure of 2.92. Levante managed just 5 shots, with 2 on target, and an xG of 0.53, largely thanks to Mathew Ryan's 6 saves.
This comprehensive win firmly entrenches Barcelona in second place in La Liga, maintaining pressure on the league leaders. For Levante, the defeat keeps them deep in the relegation zone, facing a difficult fight for survival in the coming weeks.
