Dani Olmo Lifts Barcelona Over Real Oviedo At Camp Nou

The stage was set at Camp Nou on January 25, 2026, as Barcelona returned home for their first match of the year, facing off against a struggling Real Oviedo side in La Liga’s 2025-26 season, matchday 21. The Catalan giants, still smarting from a shock 2-1 defeat to Real Sociedad the previous weekend, knew that every point mattered in their razor-thin title race with Real Madrid, who had closed the gap at the top of the table to just one point. Oviedo, meanwhile, arrived in Barcelona rooted to the bottom of the standings, desperate for a lifeline in their battle against relegation.

Kickoff came at 4:15 p.m. CET (10:15 a.m. ET), with fans around the world tuning in via ESPN Select in the US, Premier Sports in the UK, TSN in Canada, and BeIN Sports in Australia. Camp Nou buzzed with anticipation, as supporters hoped for a statement performance from their side after a turbulent week.

Barcelona’s manager Hansi Flick opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation, fielding Joan in goal; a backline of João Cancelo, Pau Cubarsí, Eric García, and Gerard Martín; a midfield duo of Marc Casadó and Frenkie de Jong; and an attacking trio of Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, and Raphinha supporting Robert Lewandowski up front. Flick was forced to make do without Ferran Torres, the club’s top scorer with 15 goals, who was sidelined with a hamstring injury. That absence put extra pressure on Lewandowski, the 37-year-old Polish striker, to rediscover his scoring touch.

Real Oviedo, under their third manager of the season, lined up in a 4-4-2: Aarón Escandell in goal; a defense of Lucas Ahijado, David Costas, David Carmo, and Javi López; a midfield quartet of Haissem Hassan, Kwasi Sibo, Santiago Colombatto, and Ilyas Chaira; and an attack led by Alberto Reina and Federico Viñas. The visitors’ compact, defensive approach was clear from the start, as they sought to frustrate their illustrious hosts and perhaps snatch a point—or more—against the odds.

The action began at a frenetic pace, with both sides probing for an early breakthrough. Barcelona dominated possession, weaving intricate passing patterns through midfield, but Oviedo’s defensive discipline kept clear chances to a minimum. In the opening minutes, Javi López was penalized for handball, and Ilyas Chaira was flagged offside as Oviedo tried to gain a foothold. Federico Viñas conceded an early foul, setting the tone for a physical encounter.

As the first half wore on, Barcelona’s attacking trio started to find space. Dani Olmo fired a right-footed shot from the center of the box in the 37th minute, set up beautifully by Lamine Yamal, only for the Oviedo defense to block the effort. Raphinha and Yamal, both lively on the wings, whipped in dangerous crosses, but Lewandowski’s headers—one saved and another drifting wide—couldn’t break the deadlock. Oviedo’s goalkeeper, Aarón Escandell, produced a couple of fine saves, notably denying Raphinha’s low drive to the bottom left corner after a slick move involving Marc Casadó.

Oviedo were not without their moments. Ilyas Chaira and Haissem Hassan both tested Barcelona’s keeper Joan García from difficult angles, with García standing tall to keep his sheet clean. The visitors’ willingness to counterattack kept Barcelona’s defense honest, even if clear-cut chances for Oviedo were rare.

The tension ratcheted up as halftime approached. David Costas of Oviedo received a yellow card for a reckless challenge, and Lewandowski was caught offside as Barcelona pressed for a breakthrough. The fourth official announced two minutes of added time, but the first half ended goalless—Barcelona 0, Real Oviedo 0—leaving the Camp Nou faithful restless but hopeful.

Both teams emerged from the break with renewed purpose. Flick made an early change, bringing on Jules Koundé for Gerard Martín to freshen up the defense. The hosts continued to push forward, with Lamine Yamal and Raphinha combining well on the flanks. Lewandowski remained a constant threat in the box, but his finishing touch eluded him. “We need to stay patient and keep creating chances,” Flick was heard urging his players from the touchline, according to local broadcasters.

Finally, the breakthrough arrived. In a moment of quality that lifted the entire stadium, Dani Olmo broke the deadlock with a clinical right-footed strike from the center of the box, finding the bottom left corner past Escandell. The goal, coming after sustained pressure, was greeted with a roar from the home crowd. Olmo’s finish was set up by slick interplay among Barcelona’s attackers, underlining the team’s commitment to attacking football despite recent setbacks.

Oviedo responded with renewed energy, pushing forward in search of an equalizer. Haissem Hassan and Ilyas Chaira both saw efforts blocked or saved, and Pau Cubarsí required treatment after a heavy challenge, causing a brief delay. Federico Viñas of Oviedo also went down injured, further disrupting the visitors’ rhythm. Despite these setbacks, Oviedo continued to battle, showing the grit that will be necessary if they are to escape relegation.

The match saw its fair share of fouls, yellow cards, and stoppages. Escandell was booked for handling outside the box, while both teams traded free kicks and corners in a tense final quarter. Barcelona’s defense, anchored by Eric García and the substitute Koundé, held firm under pressure, with Joan García making a crucial save from Hassan’s long-range effort in the dying moments.

As the final whistle approached, Barcelona managed the game well, maintaining possession and keeping Oviedo at bay. The referee, Juan Martínez Munuera, kept a close eye on proceedings, ably assisted by VAR official Mario Melero López. With the clock winding down, Barcelona’s supporters began to celebrate, sensing a vital three points in their pursuit of the La Liga crown.

With this hard-fought victory, Barcelona not only bounced back from their recent league disappointment but also maintained their slender advantage over Real Madrid at the top of the table. The performance, though not always sparkling, demonstrated the squad’s resilience and depth, especially given the absence of Ferran Torres and ongoing injury concerns. For Oviedo, the result leaves them still searching for answers at the foot of the table, but their spirited display at Camp Nou showed they won’t go down without a fight.

As Barcelona now turn their attention to a crucial Champions League clash against Copenhagen, the momentum from this win could prove invaluable. For now, the Camp Nou faithful can breathe a little easier, knowing their team remains firmly in the hunt for silverware on multiple fronts.