Barcelona Survive Oviedo Scare as Cazorla Shines on First La Liga Start at 40

Barcelona were forced to dig deep to overturn a first-half deficit against Real Oviedo, eventually sealing a 3-1 victory that preserved their unbeaten start to the season. The night, however, also belonged to Santi Cazorla, who at 40 years old made his long-awaited first La Liga start for his boyhood club.

The Carlos Tartiere stadium was buzzing with emotion as Cazorla, who first left Oviedo in 2003 without making a senior appearance, led his team onto the pitch. Having returned in 2023 to help the Asturian side secure promotion, the veteran midfielder’s story added a touch of romance to an otherwise gritty encounter.

For much of the first half, Barcelona dominated possession and created chances. Aaron Escandell kept Oviedo alive with acrobatic saves from Marcus Rashford and Ronald Araujo, while Raphinha rattled the post with a fierce effort from distance. Against the run of play, though, the hosts struck first.

New Barça goalkeeper Joan Garcia misjudged a clearance after rushing out to meet Cazorla’s through ball. His loose pass fell to Alberto Reina, who seized the opportunity with a curling strike that looped over the retreating defenders and nestled into the roof of the net. The home crowd erupted, sensing an upset in the making.

At half-time, Cazorla shared his feelings: “I’m enjoying but suffering, we are making a massive effort as a team. Let’s see if we can catch them on the break and score a second,” he told Dazn.

Oviedo nearly managed that early in the second half, when Haissem Hassan’s dangerous cross forced Garcia into action. But Barcelona’s quality soon told. Eric Garcia equalized after Ferran Torres’ strike was tipped onto the post, poking home from close range to calm Barça nerves.

Fourteen minutes later, substitutes combined as Frenkie de Jong’s pinpoint cross was met by Robert Lewandowski, whose glancing header clipped the bar before nestling in. Rashford then capped his industrious display with a third assist in three league games, delivering the corner that Araujo powered into the net to seal the comeback.

Despite their spirited display, Oviedo remain stuck in the relegation zone with just three points from six games. Barcelona, meanwhile, close the gap on leaders Real Madrid to two points, their title ambitions very much intact.

For Cazorla, the result may sting, but his milestone debut at the top level was a victory of its own. Nearly two decades after being forced to leave his boyhood club, the veteran finally took his place on the La Liga stage.