Luuk de Jong, with a header in extra time, rescued Barça, who with three penalties against which two were goals, needed a goal in the last sigh to win a Levante that was superior in the first period and which he only settled at the end to keep his streak up. Morales put Orriols ahead from the penalty spot, already in the second half, and they had another one to sentence but Ter Stegen stopped Roger Martí’s shot. From there, Barça reacted and Aubameyang and Pedri turned the score around in five minutes. A third penalty, from Lenglet to Dani Gómez, allowed Melero to tie again before Luuk de Jong appeared to give Barça three points in the extra time.
The script of the match was adjusted to what was expected from the beginning with a Barcelona willing to dominate based on possession of the ball to have control of his rival, while the Levante was looking for spaces against. During the first half, the plan worked out better for Levante. Counter-attacking seemed to be the preferred strategy of Morales.
Barcelona, calm, had the ball, but the approaches to the goal of Cárdenas were scarce and of little importance, among other reasons because the defense of three central of the local set neutralized the little danger that created the rival to him. A penetration of Morales through the center (m.27) became one of the best plays seen this season in the City of Valencia. Ter Stegen’s reply, with the first foot and then the hand, was at a high level.
The excitement was reserved for the second half, which began with the best offensive action of Barcelona so far in a header by Ferran Torres that repelled Cárdenas in the play before the penalty that sanctioned the col · legacy by an entrance of Alves to Son. Morales gave Ter Stegen a quick hug as he left the field.
Just two minutes later there was a new penalty in the same area, now in the hands of Eric Garcia after a corner. Roger Martí fired a shot from distance, but Ter Stegen deflected it wide. Barça reacted immediately and a header from Aubameyang in the middle of Dembele balanced the match when Gavi and Padri had just entered. Four minutes later, an excellent combination between these two players allowed Pedri to score the second goal with a placed shot. From a possible 2-0 it had gone to 1-2.
The match had been revolutionized with all three goals, the missed penalty and the visiting reaction. When it looked like the victory was Barça, Matx went crazy again with a penalty from Lenglet converted by Melero and there was still time for Luuk de Jong to head home a cross from Alba to make the final 2-3.