VALENCIA: Lamine Yamal struck twice to help Barcelona to an exciting 4-2 win against Levante on Sunday in La Liga, extending the Catalans’ perfect start to the season.

Hansi Flick’s side re-established their three-point lead over Real Madrid at the top of the table, after Los Blancos beat Rayo Vallecano on Saturday.

Later on Sunday, Atletico Madrid defeated Real Sociedad 3-0 with three late goals to move joint-third.

Xavi Espart opened the scoring for defending champions Barcelona in Valencia with Yamal netting the second and then scoring a penalty early in the second half.

Barca may have a 100 per cent record so far from their five games, but their defensive frailties were exposed as Ivan Romero and Roger Brugue pulled Levante back into the game in the final stages.

Substitute Karim Adeyemi made the game safe for Barca in stoppage time with a stunning solo goal, breaking through at pace and beating Mathew Ryan.

“It was not our best game, of course. We had a great start. In the second half we struggled a little bit,” Flick told reporters.

“We have to fight to improve. It’s normal; we have situations we have to make better, much better. We’ll tell the team and go on to the next match, but with the result I’m happy.”

The Catalans came flying out of the blocks at Ciutat de Valencia Stadium, where Levante were unbeaten in their previous eight matches.

The visitors took the lead in the fifth minute, with Levante barely touching the ball before Barca defender Espart found the net.

It was Espart’s first goal for the club, with the young midfielder brought into the first team this season by Flick and deployed at left-back.

Levante responded with a spell of concerted pressure, but Petar Ratkov could not get a proper shot away when well placed and Barca goalkeeper Joan Garcia saved well from Brugue.

Levante soon came to regret those spurned chances when Raphinha created Barca’s second for teenage star Yamal.

The Brazilian rounded goalkeeper Ryan and squared for Yamal to smash into the empty net in the 19th minute.

Yamal claimed his second goal soon after the restart, winning and then converting a penalty.

Andreas Christensen cleared Romero’s bobbling shot off the line, but the forward capitalised on an Espart error to score a few minutes later.

Brugue capitalised on a Marc Bernal error to net the second and create a tense finale.

However, former Borussia Dortmund winger Adeyemi ended the hosts’ dreams of a point with a dynamic burst through the defence and then a cool finish to match.

In San Sebastian, Atletico beat Real Sociedad with a late flurry of goals.

Diego Simeone’s side were without Julian Alvarez, who suffered a muscle injury in training on Saturday, but got back to winning ways after their defeat last weekend by Athletic Bilbao.

Alejandro Grimaldo opened the scoring with a penalty in the 84th minute, before Canada international Jonathan David netted his first goal for the club in the 90th minute.

Giuliano Simeone completed the Rojiblancos’ victory deep in stoppage time.

Elsewhere on Sunday, Celta Vigo were held to a 1-1 home draw by Malaga, while Getafe and Deportivo La Coruna also drew 1-1.

Published in Dawn, September 15th, 2026