Real Oviedo 1-3 FC Barcelona
Reina 33’ – Garcia 56’, Lewandowski 70’, Araujo 88’
Real Oviedo may be newly promoted, but they certainly weren’t cannon fodder, and the difficulties they caused Barcelona proved it. In the end, Barça managed to avoid the trap and keep pace with an unstoppable Real Madrid, now boasting five wins from six matches.
It was David versus Goliath tonight: the struggling promoted side with just one point from their first five games, facing a Barcelona team already flying with five wins from six. All the ingredients seemed in place for a manita, but Real Oviedo didn’t fold and played with no fear. Adding to the challenge, Barça fielded an attacking lineup but were still missing the spark of young genius Lamine Yamal.
The newly promoted team showed maturity and commitment, taking every chance they had and making life difficult for Barcelona. They didn’t hesitate to keep the ball under Barça’s pressure and frequently used long passes to break through the high Catalan defensive line. One of those balls led to chaos: goalkeeper Joan Garcia rushed out of his area, only for Oviedo’s midfielder Alberto Reina to lob him from 35 meters out. Barça tried to respond quickly, but Oviedo’s keeper, Aaron Escandell, stood tall and denied them.
Eventually, Barcelona’s pressure proved too much. From a corner, Ronald Araújo burst forward and sent in a cross that Ferran Torres struck. Escandell managed to parry, but the rebound fell to Eric Garcia, who finally broke Oviedo’s resistance. Shortly after, Robert Lewandowski put Barça ahead with a stunning header off a magical Frenkie de Jong cross. The win was sealed late on by Araújo himself, ensuring Barcelona left no room for another upset.
Barcelona’s victory keeps them neck-and-neck with Real Madrid, who now face their city rivals Atlético in the next round.