Lamine Yamal fired a double as Barcelona won 4-2 at Levante to extend their 100% start in LaLiga this season to five matches and move three points clear at the top.
Xavi Espart gave Barça an early lead via a deflection and Yamal struck either side of the interval, his second from the penalty spot, to put the visitors firmly in control.
Levante were rewarded for a spirited display with late goals from substitute Iván Romero and Roger Brugué to set up a grandstand finish, but Karim Adeyemi stepped off the bench to add Barça’s fourth in stoppage time.
Levante, who began the day in 14th place after losing one of their first four matches, fell behind in the fifth minute when Espart’s deflected shot gave Barça the lead with their first effort on target.
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Yamal failed to control Raphinha‘s pass inside the box, but the ball broke to Espart and his follow-up left Levante goalkeeper Mathew Ryan flat-footed.
Víctor García’s 30-yard free-kick was comfortably saved by Barça goalkeeper Joan García before Levante created two more chances in quick succession, with Petar Ratkov’s shot blocked and Roger Brugué’s effort saved.
But the home side fell further behind in the 19th minute after being caught on the break.
Fermín López’s through-ball was diverted into the path of Raphinha and he rounded Ryan before pulling the ball back for Yamal to bury his six-yard finish into the roof of the net.
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Despite a two-goal lead, Barça had not hit top gear and they looked complacent at the back when Manu Sánchez robbed Pau Cubarsí and crossed for Garcia to blaze off target.
Barca took complete control early in the second half. Yamal went down under defender Aïssa Mandi’s challenge and after referee Jon Ander González Esteban pointed to the spot, the Spain forward converted his sixth league goal of the season.
Levante wasted two clear chances to reduce the deficit. Brugue’s effort from in front of an empty net after Joan García’s mis-kicked clearance was deflected over and Iván Romero saw his tame attempt cleared off the goal-line by fellow substitute Andreas Christensen.
Romero saw another shot blocked and at the other end Barça substitute Adeyemi’s half-volley forced Ryan into a sprawling low save.
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Levante struck what appeared to be a deserved consolation with 11 minutes left when Romero pounced on a mis-placed pass across the area and rounded Joan García to turn the ball home.
The hosts piled on the pressure and were further rewarded as Brugué fired home a follow-up in the 88th minute after his initial shot had been saved to set up a grandstand finish.
But in the third minute of added time, Adeyemi produced a fine solo effort to ease Barca nerves, beating two defenders as he raced into the box and steered a low shot beyond Ryan.
