Barcelona beat Levante as Yamal scores twice to maintain perfect start

Lamine Yamal scored twice as Barcelona continued their perfect start to the season with a hard-fought 4-2 La Liga victory over Levante in Valencia on Sunday.

Xavi Espart and Karim Adeyemi were also on target for Barcelona, who are alone at the top of the La Liga table with five wins from five, three points ahead of Real Madrid.

Barcelona went ahead after five minutes when a slick one-touch move ended with 19-year-old Espart firing home from the edge of the box via a slight deflection for his first senior goal.

Barcelona continued to dominate possession and doubled their advantage in the 19th minute. Raphinha controlled Fermin Lopez’s through ball expertly and picked out an unmarked Lamine in the centre of the box for an easy finish.

Levante rallied after their early struggles, applying some pressure of their own, and despite failing to create a clear opening, ended the half with six attempts to Barcelona’s three.

Gerard Martin, who appeared to be limping, was withdrawn by Barcelona manager Hansi Flick at half-time and replaced by Andreas Christensen.

Barcelona struck when Aissa Mandi conceded a penalty for a foul on Lamine 42 seconds after the restart. The winger converted the spot kick to complete his third double of the La Liga season and puncture Levante’s growing belief that they could fight their way back into the contest.

Levante came close on the hour when Victor Garcia beat goalkeeper Joan Garcia, but a partial block by Pau Cubarsi and Christensen’s goal-line clearance combined to keep his effort out.