La Liga: Yamal Double Helps Barca Edge Levante 4-2

Barcelona maintained their 100 per cent start to the La Liga season with a 4-2 victory over Levante in Valencia on Sunday.

Xavi Espart opened the scoring after five minutes with his first senior goal for Barcelona, firing home from the edge of the area.

Yamal doubled the advantage in the 19th minute after Raphinha picked him out inside the box, allowing the teenage forward to finish.

Levante responded with greater pressure before half-time, but Barcelona went further ahead just after the restart.

Yamal converted a penalty in the 48th minute after being fouled by Levante defender Aissa Mandi. The goal completed his third La Liga double in as many matches.

With Barcelona three goals ahead, the hosts appeared to be heading for a comfortable defeat. However, Levante mounted a late fightback.

Ivan Romero pulled one back in the 79th minute after capitalising on an error from Espart.

Roger Brugué then reduced the deficit to 3-2 nine minutes later, bursting through the Barcelona defence and finishing to give the hosts hope of a dramatic comeback.

Barcelona were forced to withstand sustained pressure during the closing stages as Levante pushed for an equaliser.

The Catalan side eventually secured the victory in stoppage time when substitute Karim Adeyemi produced a brilliant individual run before finding the net in the 93rd minute.

The result gave Barcelona five wins from five league matches, keeping them three points clear of Real Madrid at the top of the table.

Yamal’s brace took his league tally to five goals and further highlighted his growing influence in Barcelona’s attack.

Despite the victory, the champions’ defensive performance raised concerns after they allowed Levante to score twice and come within one goal of an equaliser.

Barcelona will now turn their attention to their next league fixture against Racing Santander, while Levante will look to recover when they face Athletic Bilbao.