Robert Lewandowski came off the bench to score a towering header as Barcelona fought back to beat newly-promoted Real Oviedo 3-1 at the Carlos Tartiere Stadium.
Marcus Rashford returned to Barcelona’s starting lineup, having being benched by coach Hansi Flick against Getafe on Sunday after ESPN reported he was two minutes late for a team meeting
Alberto Reina had given the hosts a shock lead with a superb long-range strike to punish a wayward clearance from Barça keeper Joan GarcÃa midway through the first half.
Barça, though, were back on level terms early in the second half when Eric GarcÃa bundled the ball in at the far post before Lewandowski — who had just been sent on — completed the turnaround with 20 minutes left.
Ronald Araújo headed in a late third from a corner as Flick’s side moved back two points behind leaders Real Madrid.
The champions were again without Lamine Yamal, the Spain forward continuing his recovery from a groin problem, while midfielder Gavi is set for an extended spell on the sidelines following knee surgery.
After soaking up an early spell of pressure from the hosts, England forward Rashford saw his volley at the far post parried away by Aarón Escandell.
Ronald Araújo paid tribute to injured teammate Gavi after his goal against Real Oviedo.
Rashford tested Escandell again in the 23rd minute with a curling effort when cutting inside from the left side of the penalty area, which was acrobatically pushed behind by the Oviedo keeper.
Ferran Torres’ snapshot was blocked at point-blank range by Eric Bailly before Raphinha sent a long-range strike against the base of the post.
Oviedo — who had lost four of their opening five league matches this season, scoring just one goal — took a shock lead in the 33rd minute.
GarcÃa came rushing out of the Barcelona area to deal with a long ball up field, but then knocked a stray pass back towards the centre circle — from where Reina stepped forward to send a first-time, looping effort over the backtracking defenders and into an empty net.
Barça eventually got themselves back on level terms in the 56th minute when Ronald Araujo sent a ball across from the left, which Torres turned goalwards and Escandell deflected onto the post – but GarcÃa reacted first to knock it over the line.
Reina then hit another long-range effort straight at Garcia, who collected the dipping ball at the second attempt.
Lewandowski replaced Raphinha to freshen up the Barça frontline in the 65th minute.
The veteran Poland forward made an instant impact as he crashed in a towering header off the underside crossbar from after Frenkie de Jong’s floated ball out on the right.
Barcelona — who host Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League next week — made the game safe when Araujo headed in from Rashford’s corner with three minutes left before Garcia redeemed himself with a smart save at the near post to deny Lucas Ahijado.
Information from PA was used in this report.
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