🎙️ Thierry Henry 🇫🇷:
“I was convinced Barcelona would win even when they trailed 2-0 at halftime against Levante. I told Gary Neville, ‘They will come back in the second half and win 3-2.’ I have full faith in this team and its abilities. For them, comebacks have almost become routine. True champions don’t give up that easily.
Look at the context — Levante defending with ten men, the pressure from the crowd, and still Barcelona fought back from two goals down. To achieve that, you simply have to be Barcelona. Tonight, these young players sent a clear message: we are ready to fight for every title this season. I couldn’t be prouder of them.”
Match Recap: Levante 2–3 Barcelona
First Half: Levante in Command
- Ivan Romero opened the scoring in the 15th minute, exploiting space behind Barcelona’s defense. (Reuters)
- Just before halftime, Alejandro Balde’s handball—confirmed via VAR—led to a penalty, which José Luis Morales confidently converted. Barcelona entered the break staring at a daunting 0–2 deficit. (Reuters, BILD, Barca Blaugranes)
- Marcus Rashford, making his full debut for Barça, was substituted at the interval after a lackluster performance. (Reuters, ESPN.com)
Second Half: Barcelona Strikes Back
- Pedri reignited the comeback with a spectacular long-range strike just four minutes into the second half, beating the goalkeeper with a powerful shot into the top corner. (Reuters, Barca Blaugranes, Flashscore, SI)
- A mere three minutes later, Ferran Torres volleyed in the equalizer following a well-placed corner. (Reuters, Barca Blaugranes, Flashscore, SI)
Into the Dying Moments
- As the match seemed destined for a draw, Lamine Yamal delivered a pinpoint cross from the right, which Levante’s Unai Elgezabal inadvertently headed into his own net during stoppage time—sealing a dramatic 3–2 victory for Barcelona. (Reuters, Barca Blaugranes, CBSSports.com)
Tactical Turnaround
- Manager Hansi Flick made pivotal halftime changes, introducing Gavi and Dani Olmo for Rashford and Marc Casadó. The shift and renewed tactical setup sparked Barça’s turnaround. (Barca Blaugranes, ESPN.com, CBSSports.com)
Historical Significance & Reactions
- This comeback has been lauded as one of Barcelona’s most memorable—such a turnaround from 2-0 down at halftime hadn’t happened since 1962. (BILD)
- Pedri, Yamal, and Torres emerged as key performers, earning praise across the board for their influence in the game. (SI, Barca Blaugranes, BILD)
- Despite a sluggish start, Barcelona’s resilience and tactical nous sealed a vital win, keeping their perfect season start intact. (Barca Blaugranes, The Times of India, BILD, Reuters)
Summary & Outlook
Barcelona turned a near-certain defeat into an emphatic 3–2 win thanks to a combination of strategic substitutions, individual brilliance, and sheer determination. As the season progresses, this match may well be remembered as a defining moment—an early signal that Barça is serious about title contention.
Looking ahead, Barcelona will face Rayo Vallecano next. The momentum from this comeback could be a catalyst in their campaign to defend the La Liga title.
