Barcelona came from behind to beat struggling Real Oviedo 3-1 and keep their unbeaten run in La Liga this season in a game that had 40-Year-Old Cazorla making his first La Liga start for the home side.
The match was special for Real Oviedo’s Santi Cazorla, who made his first-ever La Liga start for the club at the age of 40. The former Arsenal and Spain midfielder left Oviedo in 2003 without playing for the first team due to the club’s financial problems. He returned in 2023 and helped them win promotion to La Liga last season — their first time back in the top flight since 2001.
The home fans at a packed Carlos Tartiere stadium were thrilled when Oviedo took the lead. Barcelona goalkeeper Joan Garcia, signed from Espanyol in the summer, rushed out of his box to stop a through ball from Cazorla but overhit his pass to teammate Marc Casado. Oviedo’s Alberto Reina picked up the loose ball and scored with a curling shot that flew over two defenders and into the net.
At half-time, Cazorla told Dazn: “I’m enjoying it but also suffering. We’re working really hard as a team. Hopefully we can score another on the break.”
Oviedo came close early in the second half, with Haissem Hassan beating his defender and sending in a dangerous low cross, but Garcia stopped it.
Barcelona, though, showed their quality. Eric Garcia scored after Ferran Torres’ volley was tipped onto the post by Oviedo keeper Aaron Escandell. Then Robert Lewandowski headed in from a Frenkie de Jong cross to make it 2-1.
In the final minutes, Ronald Araujo sealed the win with a header from a Marcus Rashford corner — Rashford’s third assist in three league games.
Oviedo stay in the relegation zone with just three points from six matches. Barcelona remain second in the table and are now only two points behind leaders Real Madrid.
