Goalscorers Lamine Yamal and Dani Olmo helped Barcelona fight back against Alaves and return to the top of La Liga.
Published November 30, 2025
Barcelona bounced back from an early setback to beat Alaves 3-1 in La Liga on Saturday, with first-half goals from Lamine Yamal and Dani Olmo and a second goal in the second half clinching victory at the Camp Nou.
The win moved last year’s champions into the top spot with 34 points, two points ahead of second-placed Real Madrid, who play Girona on Sunday.
Recommended stories
list of 4 itemsend of list
In their second match back at the partially renovated Camp Nou after two-and-a-half years of redevelopment, Barcelona overcame a shaky start amid long delays in pre-match ticketing and unusual scenes in which the stadium was only half empty at kick-off.
The club said the issue was caused by a technical issue that left thousands of fans unable to access tickets through the club’s mobile app, leading to long lines at fan support offices and matches starting with widely empty seats.
Alaves surprised the hosts in the first minute with Pablo Ibanez’s shot from close range. After Barcelona defender Marc Bernal misjudged a corner kick, Ibanez pounced on the loose ball inside the six-yard box and brilliantly slotted home with his first touch.
However, Barcelona struck back just seven minutes later. Alejandro Balde broke down the left and fed Rafinha, who fed a low cross into the box. The 18-year-old Yamal connected with the ball at the far post and fired it powerfully into the top corner with one touch, leveling the score at 1-1.
Rafinha provided another assist in the 26th minute, and this time Olmo expertly curled the ball in from inside the box to put the Blaugrana ahead.
Yamal came close to doubling his tally after receiving a great pass from Robert Lewandowski in the 44th minute, but his shot hit the post and left the goal wide open.
Alaves almost scored an equalizer just before the end of the first half when a quick counter-attack saw Lucas Boe send a shot just wide of the target.
Olmo secures return to Barça
Barcelona dominated the second half, with Lewandowski denied by a brilliant reflex save from Alaves keeper Antonio Civella in the 56th minute. Boyet also missed a chance for the visitors in the 77th minute when he curled wide inside the box.
Olmo put the result beyond doubt in stoppage time, playing a smooth one-two with Yamal, before his through ball set him free in the box and calmly slotted home.
The game also saw the return of 23-year-old midfielder Pedri, who played for the first time in more than a month after suffering a muscular injury.
He came on in the second half and gave Barcelona a much-needed boost ahead of Tuesday’s crucial game against Atletico Madrid.
Diego Simeone’s side, who are fourth in La Liga with 28 points, have not lost a league match since the opening game in August.
They have a game left and will aim to extend their six-game winning streak in all competitions when they host bottom of the table Oviedo later on Saturday.
