Sports
Report, result and goals as Blaugrana return top
Catch up with all the action from Barcelona vs Real Oviedo in La Liga.
Barcelona returned to the top of LaLiga with a 3-0 home victory over Real Oviedo, pulling clear in the second half after a frustrating opening 45 minutes at the Camp Nou.
The first half was a surprisingly even contest, with Oviedo making a confident start and causing Barcelona problems down the flanks.
Haissem Hassan was particularly lively, testing Joan Garcia from range and forcing the hosts to defend more than expected in the opening stages. Oviedo also thought they had an early sight of goal when Federico Vinas fired wide, though the flag was raised for offside.
Barcelona dominated possession but struggled to turn control into clear chances. Dani Olmo and Lamine Yamal attempted to link play in advanced areas, while Robert Lewandowski was largely kept quiet by a compact Oviedo back line.
The closest the hosts came before the break was a late Raphinha effort from a tight angle, which Escandell pushed away, ensuring the sides went in level at half-time.
The match shifted shortly after the restart. Seven minutes into the second half, Barcelona capitalised on sustained pressure as Yamal dispossessed Carmo inside the box. His initial effort was blocked, but the loose ball fell kindly for Olmo, who composed himself before firing into the bottom corner to give the hosts the lead.
Oviedo’s resistance weakened further just five minutes later. A misplaced back pass from David Costas was pounced upon by Raphinha, who raced through on goal and lifted a neat finish over Escandell to make it 2-0. From that point on, Barcelona played with far greater freedom, moving the ball quickly and pinning the visitors deep in their own half.
The standout moment of the evening arrived in the 73rd minute. Olmo delivered a cross from the left towards Yamal, who adjusted his body brilliantly and executed an overhead kick into the bottom corner, leaving Escandell with no chance.
Barcelona continued to create openings late on, with Lewandowski denied in stoppage time as heavy rain fell, but the result was already beyond doubt. The victory lifts Barcelona back to the summit of LaLiga on 52 points, one ahead of Real Madrid.
