Barcelona moved provisionally to the top of La Liga thanks to a 3-1 victory over Alaves on Saturday, 29 November 2025, with Dani Olmo scoring twice at a partially rebuilt Camp Nou.
Alaves stunned the hosts early, taking the lead in the first minute as Pablo Ibanez capitalised on a defensive error, turning the ball into the net after Marc Casado failed to clear a corner.
Barca responded swiftly through teenage star Lamine Yamal, who blasted into the roof of the net after a low cross from the returning Raphinha. Olmo then put the Catalans ahead midway through the first half, drilling the ball inside the near post following another assist from Raphinha.
The hosts had to withstand a few scares, including a superb save from goalkeeper Joan Garcia to deny Calebe and a narrow miss from Lucas Boye. Yamal also rattled the post in the first half, while Olmo’s effort early in the second half trickled just wide. Pau Cubarsi produced a vital block to deny Alaves an equaliser before the third goal finally came in stoppage time. Olmo capitalised on another Yamal assist to seal the win for Barcelona.
Barcelona were without Ronald Araujo and Frenkie de Jong, while Jules Kounde started on the bench after his own goal against Chelsea in midweek. Brazilian winger Raphinha made his first start since returning from injury, and Marc Bernal returned to the midfield for the first time since August 2024 following long-term knee surgery. Pedri Gonzalez also came off the bench in the second half to a rapturous reception from 45,000 fans.
The win followed a 4-0 home victory over Athletic Bilbao in Barcelona’s first match back at Camp Nou, but Alaves provided far more spirited opposition.
