Frenkie de Jong's first goal in over a year and a thunderbolt from Fermín López helped put Barcelona back on top of LaLiga as they brushed aside strugglers Levante 3-0.

Hansi Flick's side needed a last-gasp winner to win the corresponding fixture at the start of the season but cruised to victory as they took advantage of Real Madrid's defeat at Osasuna to take a one-point lead at the summit.

Back-to-back defeats by Atlético Madrid and Girona had damaged Barça's confidence but it came roaring back as Marc Bernal kicked things off with a quickfire opener at the Nou Camp and De Jong netted for the first time since January 2025.

Fermín López then came off the bench to add some stardust, crashing an unstoppable late effort into the top corner from nearly 25 yards.

It was a lively start to the game, Carlos Álvarez forcing an early save from Joan García, with Jules Koundé heading over at the other end as the teams traded warning shots.

It was Barça who made it count, though, carving their opponents open after just four minutes.

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A carefully-worked short corner went from right to left before Eric García collected João Cancelo's clever pass and laid the ball on for Bernal.

The midfielder nipped in front of his marker, stretched out a leg and finished first time.

A buoyant Barcelona tried to double up quickly, Raphinha unable to finish a couple of openings and Robert Lewandowksi shooting over the top.

In response Jon Olasagasti broke the defensive line but failed to beat Garcia after linking well with Iván Romero.

Shortly after the half-hour it was 2-0 to the hosts, with another silky move originating on the right. Lamine Yamal, Bernal and Cancelo combined for the set-up, with De Jong stealing space to touch home the latter's floated cross into the six-yard box.

The Netherlands international's long barren streak dated back to last January, when he netted in a 7-1 thrashing of Valencia.

Levante's route back into the game narrowed further when Kareem Tunde fired wide with their final chance before half time.

Normal service resumed after the break, with half-chances for Cancelo and Garcia off corners and a pair of saves from Matt Ryan as Lewandowski and Dani Olmo added to the barrage.

With 25 minutes left, Flick showcased his squad depth with a triple change that brought López, Ferran Torres and the fit-again Pedri into the fray.

Levante also received a boost from the bench, with Paco Cortés adding some cutting edge in attack.

López made his presence felt in exhilarating fashion as the game entered its final 10 minutes, unleashing a vicious left-footed effort that thundered into the top corner to leave Ryan grasping at fresh air.

England international Marcus Rashford -- who was back in the matchday squad after knee problems -- remained on the bench with the result already secure as the hosts wrapped up a result that puts the pressure back on Real in the title race.