FC Barcelona secured their fourth consecutive victory in LaLiga EA Sports 2025/26, their second at Spotify Camp Nou, this time against Deportivo Alavés (3-1). On their 126th anniversary, the Blaugrana team achieved another comeback to return to the top of the Spanish First Division, awaiting Sunday's match between Girona and Real Madrid.
After the defeat against Chelsea, Barça needed a resounding victory to quickly turn the page and regain the good feelings from the last three league matches. The scenario, however, began in the worst possible way, with a goal from Pablo Ibáñez before the first minute.
Hansi Flick's team, fortunately, did not lose concentration. Although the defense continued to leave many doubts, in attack, the presence of the 'LRL' gave the team greater depth and confidence. Lamine Yamal and Raphinha were responsible, with a goal and an assist respectively, for signing the comeback before halftime.Later, in the second half, Barça took complete control of possession, minimizing the counter-attacking opportunities for the Vitoria team. The third goal didn't arrive until stoppage time, with Lamine assisting Olmo to seal a deserved victory, their eleventh in LaLiga
Raphinha and Lamine Yamal woke up Barça after an early deficit
When barely a minute into the match, Alavés took the lead after a corner from the left. Marc Casadó tried to clear at the near post, but got caught up, leaving everyone offside. Pablo Ibáñez latched onto the partial deflection from the '17', anticipating Marc Bernal to beat Joan García.
Barça reacted quickly, directing their attacks towards the left flank. In the 8th minute, a pass from **Alejandro Balde** allowed the Brazilian to cross low into the heart of the box. Lewandowski slightly deflected a ball intended for **Dani Olmo**. The Terrassa native didn't get to shoot, but Lamine did, appearing alone on the other flank to blast it past Sivera.
From there, the game opened up completely. Alavés came close to taking the lead again in the 24th minute, but Joan García, with a spectacular save, prevented Jonny's goal after a counter-attack in which the blue and red defense was completely exposed.
Then, in the 26th minute, the 2-1 arrived, the work of Dani Olmo. Gerard Martín set up Raphinha with a notable through ball and the '11', once again, passed it back to the middle, where the Catalan attacking midfielder, this time, arrived well-positioned to finish first-time.
With Barça leading, the match became more physical. Bernal received a yellow card for a late foul on Calebe, while Eric García once again injured his nose after a slap from Denis Suárez. Both were replaced at halftime by Jules Koundé and Marcus Rashford, respectively.Lamine, in the 44th minute, came close to a third with a shot that hit the post. The '10' set up a notable one-two with Lewandowski, dribbled past Sivera in a one-on-one, but ran out of shooting angle, too far to the right. **The winger also caused a potential penalty in the first half**, but the referee Miguel Ángel Ortiz overlooked a challenge by full-back Víctor Parada on the byline
Barça's Total Dominance in the Second Half
Barça monopolized possession after the break. A long-range shot from Raphinha and a header from Lewandowski created danger in the opening minutes of the second half. Eduardo Coudet replaced Calebe and Rebbach with Vicente and Aleñá, while Flick did the same, bringing on **Ferran Torres and Pedri for 'Lewy' and Rapha** with half an hour left.
For the '8' it was his first appearance since the Clásico at the Santiago Bernabéu, while the 'Shark' was a substitute just like against Celta. In the 65th minute, Lamine Yamal almost scored a screamer with a long-range left-footed shot, but the ball went slightly high. Olmo also came close to scoring the third five minutes later, but his cross shot went slightly wide, after a good cross from Ferran.
The Catalans increased their possession to 65%, after a much more even first half. Pedri entered the game very well, allowing Casadó to settle in as a pivot. Koundé's presence also provided more depth on the right, while Balde had a great game, very attentive in recovering the ball on his flank.
Dani Olmo sealed the comeback for Barça in stoppage time
Alavés once again troubled the Barça defense in the 75th minute, with a dangerous play down the left that tested Cubarsí. The center-back made a very timely clearance to a corner after a shot from Boyé.
Pau was finally replaced in the 83rd minute by Christensen, in the last substitution made by Flick. Barça finished with an unprecedented center-back pairing, but managed to hold onto their lead without too much trouble in the final stretch. In stoppage time, a pass from Lamine to Olmo allowed the player from Terrassa to seal the match with his second goal of the afternoon.
With the victory, Barça regains first place with 34 points, 2 more than Real Madrid, awaiting what happens on Sunday with the 'Merengue' visit to Girona (9:00 PM CEST). The Catalan team will be back in action on Tuesday, again at Camp Nou, hosting Atlético in the rescheduled match of matchday 19
Match Report: FC Barcelona 3-1 Deportivo Alavés
- FC Barcelona, 3: Joan Garcia; Eric Garcia (Koundé, min. 46), Cubarsí (Christensen, min. 83), Gerard Martín, Balde; Marc Bernal (Rashford, min. 46), Casadó; Lamine Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha (Pedri, min. 59); Lewandowski (Ferran, min. 59).
- Deportivo Alavés, 1: Sivera; Jonny, Tenaglia, Pacheco, Parada (Martínez, min. 79); Blanco, Ibáñez (Guridi, min. 67); Denis Suárez Guevara, min. 67), Calebe (Vicente, min. 58), Rebbach (Aleñá, min. 58); Lucas Boyé.
- Goals: 0-1, Pablo Ibañez (min. 1); 1-1, Lamine Yamal (min. 8); 2-1, Dani Olmo (min. 26); 3-1, Dani Olmo (min. 90+3).
- Referee: Miguel Ángel Ortiz. Booked for Barça: Marc Bernal. For Alavés, cautioned: Abde Rebbach, Calebe, Antonio Blanco. Missed a possible penalty by Víctor Parada on Lamine Yamal in the first half.
- Stadium: Spotify Camp Nou in Barcelona.
- Incidents: match corresponding to matchday 14 of LaLiga EA Sports 2025/26.