Barcelona Vs Levante: Bernal, De Jong and Fermín Secure 3-0 as Cancelo Shines
FC Barcelona beat Levante 3-0 at the Camp Nou, a result that restored the club to the top of LaLiga and extended a long scoring run. In the barcelona vs levante fixture Marc Bernal opened the scoring inside four minutes, and goals from Frenkie de Jong and Fermín completed a comfortable win.
Marc Bernal and the early breakthrough
The match was practically settled within the first half hour. Carlos Álvarez provided an early scare for Barcelona with a one-on-one opportunity just 18 seconds in, and Jules Koundé had a chance at two minutes, but it was Marc Bernal who put Barcelona ahead at four minutes following a pass from Eric García. That early strike set the tone: Barcelona dominated possession and chances, and the visitors were unable to convert two clear openings they created at the outset.
Barcelona Vs Levante: Joao Cancelo MVP
Joao Cancelo, 31, was the standout performer and was chosen MVP after a sustained left‑side performance. Cancelo participated in the build-up to Bernal's goal and delivered the pass that allowed Frenkie de Jong to make it 2-0. The full-back, who returned to the club on loan this winter, said he had felt the coach would give him the chance and credited consistent training for his form. He described himself as an offensive full-back but emphasized the collective result over individual praise.
Frenkie de Jong and the halftime cushion
Frenkie de Jong extended the lead around the half-hour mark, arriving from deep to finish a measured cross from Cancelo and make it 2-0 before the interval. A long attempt from Tunde for Levante was one of the few responses, and Lamine Yamal nearly added a third with a low shot that went narrowly wide. Barcelona went into the break with control and a two-goal cushion.
Fermín's left-foot strike closes the match
In the second half the visitors rarely tested the scoreboard again. Fermín, introduced after the hour, sealed the 3-0 win with a left-footed strike from outside the area. The goalkeeper Ryan produced a spectacular double save later—stopping a header by Raphinha and then denying a close-range effort by Fermín—but the final scoreline remained intact.
Levante misses, crisis deepens and broader implications
Levante’s early misses proved costly: the team spurned two clear opportunities at the start and ultimately suffered a fourth straight league defeat, deepening its crisis in the table. Joan García provided a key stop on a one-on-one chance for Olasagasti, and an attempted Cancelo cross hit the post with Ryan beaten, signaling Barcelona's superior finishing. The result had immediate ramifications in the title race: Barcelona reclaimed first place after Madrid’s defeat in Pamplona left the top position available, and the victory reinforced a club scoring run of 45 consecutive LaLiga matches, the best run since a 64‑match series from 4 February 2012 to 5 October 2013.
Statistically, the context is notable: historically, in 22 occasions a team had 61 points after 25 matches in LaLiga, 18 of those ended up champions, and Barcelona had won each of its eight prior instances in that situation. The win also served as some remedy for recent setbacks; Hansi Flick’s side had suffered two consecutive defeats in cup and league play before this match, and the coach had rested several players earlier—Cubarsí, Balde, Fermín and Ferran were given rest prior to this game—while Pedri returned to the squad and was introduced after the hour alongside Ferran and Fermín.
Other notes from the game: Lewandowski had a clear chance that went wide after a scramble in the box, Raphinha saw a headed attempt kept out, and a long-range attempt by Tunde briefly threatened to alter the scoreline. A club ‘perla’ has reached 100 triumphs at 18 years; unclear in the provided context. After the match Joan Laporta also weighed in on recent league controversies with a colorful remark about Madrid’s complaints.
The broader implication is that the win not only restores Barcelona to the summit but also underlines persistent offensive consistency—three goals, several clear chances and another point added to a longstanding scoring streak—while Levante must address finishing and form amid a growing slide in the table.
