La Liga: Luuk de Jong Stoppage Time Header Gives Barcelona Victory Over Levante
NDTV
Luuk de Jong headed in a 92nd-minute winner on Sunday as Barcelona prevailed in a five-goal thriller against Levante to return to second in La Liga.
Luuk de Jong headed in a 92nd-minute winner on Sunday as Barcelona prevailed in a five-goal thriller against Levante to return to second in La Liga. De Jong's late goal, his sixth in the league for Barca, proved the decisive moment in a 3-2 victory in Valencia but it was the introduction of the 19-year-old Pedri off the bench that turned the momentum of the contest. Asked if the team are too reliant on Pedri, Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez said: "I wouldn't put it like that but he is an extraordinary player. I don't hold back any praise, he is a player who excites people and makes a difference."
A frantic 11 minutes early in the second half saw Levante score one penalty in the 52nd minute through Jose Luis Morales before missing a second in the 55th, this time Roger Marti stepping up, only to be denied by Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Pedri came off the bench in the 56th minute and three minutes later Barcelona equalised, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang heading in Ousmane Dembele's cross to score his 10th goal for his new club.
Then in the 63rd minute, Pedri fired Barca in front with a first-time finish into the corner, only for Levante to level again after being awarded a third penalty, Gonzalo Melero this time making no mistake.
Levante looked set to claim a point but De Jong snatched the win, meeting Jordi Alba's cross and heading in at the near post.
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