Alaves barked early but Lewa bit back - Barca win to keep up with the top duo

Barcelona avoided suffering consecutive home league defeats for the first time since April 2022, as they came from behind to beat Alavés 2-1 in La Liga.

The hosts would have been feeling a strange case of déjà vu moments after the first whistle, with the Blaugrana – as they did against Granada last month – conceding after just 17 seconds. Samu Omorodion, who was no doubt the man of the half, tapped home Javi López’s cross before Barca could blink, netting his third goal since joining from none other than Granada this summer, while also netting Alavés’ fastest strike in La Liga history.

Omorodion also hit the side netting soon after, before skewing wide in a one-on-one with Marc-André ter Stegen. He then bullied Jules Koundé off the ball to set up another glorious chance, only to fire over. The defender had a birthday to forget, as Xavi made him switch positions with Ronald Araújo straight after. João Félix was comfortably Barcelona’s best player in the first period, and he had their best opportunity, seeing his long-range effort parried away by Antonio Sivera.

Koundé already looked more comfortable at right-back, and eight minutes into the second half, he delivered a delicious cross for Robert Lewandowski, who glanced his header beautifully into the bottom corner. He then secured his brace from the penalty spot, thumping home his seventh league goal after substitute Ferran Torres was fouled by Abdel Abqar.

After losing two of their last three in all competitions before today, Barcelona would have been relieved to get back to winning ways, and their victory lifts them up to third in the table. As for Luis García's team, they were denied back-to-back top-flight victories for the first time in two years, and their personal winless run against Barça now stretches to 12 league games.

LA LIGA - MATCHDAY 13

Friday

Athletic Club - Celta Vigo 4-3 (2-2)

/Sancet 37, Guruzeta 45+5, 52, Berenguer 90+8 pen - Aspas 25, Bamba 41, Larsen 66/

Saturday

Rayo Vallecano - Girona 1-2 (1-1)

/Garcia 5 - Dovbyk 42, Savio 65/

Almeria - Real Sociedad 1-3 (0-0)

/Arribas 76 - Oyarzabal 62, Fernandez 90+1 pen, Zubimendi 90+5/

Granada - Getafe 1-1 (1-1)

/Villar 45+4 - Mayoral 2/

Osasuna - Las Palmas 1-1 (0-0)

/Budimir 73 - Moleiro 70/

Real Madrid - Valencia 5-1 (2-0)

/Carvajar 3, Vini 42, 49, Rodrygo 50, 84 - Duro 88/

Sunday

Barcelona - Alaves 2-1 (0-1)

/Lewandowski 53, 77 pen - Omorodion 1/

20.30: (2.20) Sevilla (3.50) Betis (3.50)

23.00: (1.37) Atl.Madrid (5.10) Villareal (7.75)

***odds are subject to change