FC Barcelona added their fifth victory in six rounds of LaLiga EA Sports 2025/26, this time as a visitor against Real Oviedo (1-2). The visit to the Carlos Tartiere Stadium was very tough for the Catalans, who again had to overcome a deficit in the second half (this time, of one goal) to avoid another setback that would take them away from the lead.
Hansi Flick once again modified his central duo, with Ronald Araujo and Pau Cubarsí back in the XI. Eric García moved to the right side, while Jules Koundé had a day off. The same happened with Frenkie de Jong and Robert Lewandowski, substitutes for the entries of Marc Casadó and Marcus Rashford.
Despite dominating in the first half, with up to 11 shots (3 on goal), Barça went down by the minimum at halftime. In the second half, the Blaugrana team reacted with goals from Eric García and Robert Lewanodwski to secure the victory.
A mistake by Joan García put Barça at a disadvantage in the first half
The 'culés' only took 2 minutes to approach the rival area, with a high shot from Dani Olmo. The Terrassa native was quite imprecise in the delivery, while Raphinha and Rashford created danger on the flanks. The Englishman demanded Aarón Escandell in the 10th minute, with a left-footed shot that forced the Valencian goalkeeper to make a save on the line.
As the minutes passed, the Blaugrana dominance became greater and greater, but Barça lacked the effectiveness to translate their dominance into the score. In the 32nd minute, a crossed shot from Raphinha hit the base of the post. The rebound fell to Araujo, who took advantage to unleash a powerful first-time shot, but Aarón again saved on the line.
When Flick's team was at their best, a long ball created an unthinkable mistake in the Catalan defense. Joan García came out in time to anticipate Salomón Rondón, with a 'culé' defensive line, as usual, very advanced. The '13' seemed to have everything under control, but wanted to play out from the back with Marc Casadó, throwing a dangerous pass to the middle.
The pass was defective and the ball fell to Alberto Reina. Without thinking twice, the '5' of Oviedo shot into the empty net and the ball, after a bounce on the grass, shook the net. In 33 minutes there was total surprise at the Carlos Tartiere with the victory of the locals.
Eric García woke up Barça in the second half; Lewandowski closed the comeback
Barça struggled to assimilate the blow of 1-0, being the second time in 25/26 that the 'azulgranas' went to the locker room down on the scoreboard (the first, against Levante) at halftime. Flick Flick put Frenkie in for Casadó in the interval and, in the 55th minute, the equalizer arrived through Eric García.
The '24' appeared to push into the goal a shot from Ferran deflected by Aarón, after a good dribble from Araujo on the left. Raphinha was very close to 1-2 a minute later, while the 'Shark', with a header, also came close to scoring after another good cross from the Brazilian.
Oviedo began to feel the wear and tear of having, barely, 20% of possession in the first 60 minutes. However, Alberto Reina once again demanded Joan García in the 62nd minute with a shot from the edge of the area, after a corner favorable to the Asturians.
The match gained in dynamism and Barça found more spaces. Lewandowski entered for Raphinha in the 65th minute, with which Rashford moved to the right side and, Ferran, to the left. The Pole, in the first opportunity he had, took advantage of a cross from De Jong to score with a perfect header that hit the crossbar before shaking the net.
Hansi Flick's changes, again, had the expected effect in a match that became more complicated than expected for Barcelona. 'Lewy' was very close to the double in the 78th minute, with a shot with little angle that Aarón saved very demanded.
Araujo closed Barça's comeback with another header
In the 88th minute, a corner served by Rashford found Araujo well placed. The 'azulgrana' captain anticipated easily, putting in an unstoppable header for Aarón that rounded off a very complete match for the '4': direct participation in two goals and very good work dealing with Rondón's marking.
With the victory, the 'culés' reach 16 points and continue to stalk Real Madrid (18). The next weekend, the 'azulgrana' team receives Real Sociedad (Sunday 28th at 18:30), while the 'merengues' will play the derby with Atlético on Saturday at the Metropolitano (16:15).
Match details: Real Oviedo 1-3 FC Barcelona
- Real Oviedo, 1: Escandell; Ahijado, Bailly, Carmo, Rahim; Dendoncker (Colombatto, min. 89), Reina (Brekalo, min. 76); Hassan (Sibo, min. 65), Ilyas (Forés, min. 76); Cazorla (Ilic, min. 65) and Rondón.
- FC Barcelona, 3: Joan García; Eric, Araujo, Cubarsí, Gerard Martín (Koundé, min. 73); Casadó (De Jong, min. 46), Pedri (Bernal, min. 90); Raphinha (Lewandowski, min. 65), Olmo, Rashford (Christensen, min. 90); Ferran Torres.
- Goals: 1-0, Alberto Reina (min. 33); 1-1, Eric García (min. 56); 1-2, Robert Lewandowski (min. 69); 1-3, Ronald Araujo (min. 88).
- Referee: Miguel Ángel Ortiz. Booked Eric Bailly for Real Oviedo.
- Stadium: Municipal Carlos Tartiere.
- Incidents: match corresponding to matchday 6 of LaLiga EA Sports 2025/26.