Frenkie de Jong scored his first goal since January 2025 as FC Barcelona responded to consecutive defeats by reclaiming top spot in La Liga with a commanding 3-0 victory over Levante UD.

Barça required a strong reaction after back-to-back losses — only the third such run under head coach Hansi Flick — against Atlético Madrid in the Copa del Rey and away to Girona FC in the league. They were nearly caught cold inside 30 seconds when Carlos Álvarez found space in the box, but his effort was fired straight at Joan García.

The hosts quickly asserted control. Jules Koundé volleyed over at the far post before Marc Bernal opened the scoring in the fourth minute, sliding in to convert Eric García’s low cross for his second goal in three matches.

Barcelona should have doubled their advantage soon after. Mathew Ryan produced a point-blank save to deny Raphinha, while Robert Lewandowski blazed the rebound over the crossbar.

Levante had a golden opportunity of their own in the 15th minute when Jon Ander Olasagasti met Iván Romero’s incisive through ball, only to shoot directly at García.

Despite those chances, Barcelona’s dominance rarely wavered. João Cancelo almost netted in fortunate fashion when his inswinging cross evaded everyone and struck the post. Moments later, the Portuguese full-back turned provider, delivering a teasing cross that De Jong met perfectly, timing his run to volley home from eight yards.

Having scored 21 unanswered second-half goals at home in LaLiga prior to this round, Barcelona’s control after the break felt inevitable. Eric García powered a header narrowly wide six minutes into the half, and Alan Matturro produced a superb last-ditch block to deny Raphinha as the pressure mounted.

Levante’s best chance to avoid a third straight match without scoring came midway through the second half when substitute Paco Cortés beat the offside trap, but he slipped at the crucial moment and scuffed his shot into the side-netting.

The third goal eventually arrived nine minutes from time. Fermín López collected a short corner and unleashed a thunderous 20-yard strike that flew in off the post, taking his tally for the season to 11.

It sealed a perfect afternoon for Barcelona, who made it 12 wins from 12 LaLiga home matches. Ryan prevented further damage late on with a sensational double save from Raphinha and López, but the outcome was long decided.

Flick’s side now sit one point clear of Real Madrid at the summit after their rivals’ shock 2-1 defeat to CA Osasuna on Saturday. Levante, meanwhile, remain 19th — seven points from safety — following a fourth consecutive league loss, and have now lost all 17 of their LaLiga visits to Barcelona, a competition record.