Barca’s furious half against Oviedo, sweetened with a pinch of Yamal’s magic

Barcelona’s match against the bottom side in the La Liga table was not expected to pose any real problems. In the end, it didn’t — although the visitors did show some signs of life in the first half and managed to threaten the Catalans’ goal on a few occasions. Still, once the second half got underway, Hansi Flick’s team shifted into a higher gear and dismantled the visitors with a convincing 3–0 win.

Barcelona went into the break level after a frustrating first half against Real Oviedo, struggling to impose themselves despite enjoying more of the ball.

Hansi Flick’s side found it hard to gain momentum early on and failed to seriously test the visitors’ penalty area in the opening stages, allowing Oviedo to grow in confidence. The first real opening came in the 18th minute, when Raphinha’s cut-back narrowly failed to meet Robert Lewandowski inside the box, the Polish striker just inches away from getting a decisive touch.

Oviedo gradually became the more threatening side. In the 23rd minute, winger Hassan fired in a sharp left-footed effort that forced Joan GarcIa into an excellent low save. The visitors continued to probe, with Ilyas Chaira trying his luck from distance on 29 minutes, his long-range strike drifting just wide of the left post.

Hassan remained Oviedo’s main outlet and went close again six minutes before the break, driving forward and unleashing another left-footed shot from outside the area, only for GarcIa to stand firm once more.

The closing moments of the half were dramatic. In stoppage time, Oviedo appealed for a penalty when Reina went down in the area under pressure from Garcia, but referee Martinez Munuera waved play on. At the other end, Barcelona finally came alive as Raphinha struck a fierce volley, but Oviedo goalkeeper Aaron Escandell produced a superb save to deny the hosts and keep the score level at halftime.

The hosts came out flying and almost struck immediately in the 48th minute, when Robert Lewandowski narrowly missed connecting with a diving header that flashed just wide of the left post. Oviedo had a brief chance to respond a minute later, as Ilyas Chaira hesitated in a promising position, allowing Eric Garcia to recover and block his effort, with Vinas left frustrated after being unmarked.

Barca kept the pressure on. Dani Olmo went close in the 50th minute, forced to improvise with a header after Raphinha’s cross arrived with too much pace. Moments later, the breakthrough finally arrived. In the 51st minute, Lamine Yamal’s aggressive pressing unsettled Carmo, whose poor clearance fell straight to Olmo. The midfielder from Terrassa made no mistake, firing a powerful low right-footed shot across goal that left Aaron Escandell helpless.

The floodgates opened soon after. In the 57th minute, Costas committed a costly error, surrendering possession to Raphinha, who raced through on goal and showed real composure to lift a delicate chip over the advancing Escandell to make it 2–0.

Barcelona continued to play with confidence and flair. On the hour mark, Escandell produced a stunning save to deny Lamine Yamal’s fierce left-footed strike, before Lewandowski nearly capitalised on the rebound.

The final word came in the 72nd minute, and it was pure artistry. Dani Olmo floated in a sublime cross, which Lamine Yamal met with an acrobatic mid-air volley, guiding the ball beyond the goalkeeper’s outstretched hand to crown a dominant second-half performance and seal a comprehensive victory.

LA LIGA - MATCHDAY 21

Friday

Levante - Elche 3-2 (0-1)

/Martinez 50, De la Fuente 68, Matturro 90+6 - Rodriguez 11, Boayar 90+2/

Saturday

Rayo Vallecano - Osasuna 1-3 (0-1)

/Ismael Ciss 59 - Budimir 29, Vertrouwd 90+1 og, Osambela 90+4/

Valencia - Espanyol 3-2 (1-0)

/Duro 15, Comert 59, Ramazani 90+4 pen - Terrats 54, Copete 79 og/

Sevilla - Ath. Bilbao 2-1 (1-1)

/Fernandez 42, Adams 56 pen - Navarro 40/

Villarreal - Real Madrid 0-2 (0-0)

/Mbappe 47, 90+2 pen/

Sunday

Atl. Madrid - Mallorca 3-0 (1-0)

/Sorloth 22, Lopez 75 og, Almada 87/

Barcelona - Oviedo 3-0 (0-0)

/Olmo 52, Raphinha 57, Yamal 73/

20.30: (2.05) Sociedad (3.50) Celta (3.90)

23.00: (2.90) Alaves (3.15) Betis (2.55)

Monday

23.00: (2.10) Girona (3.15) Getafe (3.90)

***odds are subject to change***