The La Liga champions, who sit second with 16 points from six unbeaten games, now trail leaders Real Madrid by just two points. The newly promoted hosts, mired in the relegation zone with three points and suffering a fifth loss in six outings, started with real bite.

They harried Barcelona from the off, winning four early corners that had the Tartiere faithful roaring. The visitors, though, dominated possession at 68 per cent and carried a constant menace on the counter.

Marcus Rashford tested Oviedo keeper Aaron Escandell early with a fierce volley and later a curling effort in the 23rd minute.

Disaster struck Barcelona just past the half-hour when keeper Joan Garcia's misplaced clearance left him stranded. Oviedo's Alberto Reina, spotting the opportunity from 40 yards, looped a stunning strike over the exposed netminder for his side's second goal of the campaign and a deserved 1-0 lead.

Oviedo refused to yield after the break, outfighting the Catalans in duels and embarrassing them with quick transitions. Haissem Hassan outpaced Gerard Martin only to be denied by Garcia. But the tide turned on 56 minutes when Ronald Araujo's confusion-stirring run from deep pulled defenders out of shape.

Eric Garcia, redeeming his earlier blunder, prodded home the equalizer at the far post to spark Barcelona into life.

Hansi Flick, the Barcelona coach, praised his team's response. "It wasn't an easy match because Oviedo make good transitions, but we defended well," he said.

Substitutions proved pivotal: Frenkie de Jong entered to add control, and Robert Lewandowski replaced Raphinha on 65 minutes. Five minutes later, the Polish striker rose highest to power home de Jong's floated cross for a 2-1 lead, his third goal in as many substitute appearances this season.

Lewandowski, speaking to DAZN, reflected on the shift in tempo. "It was a tough match, Oviedo play good football and in the first half we had problems finishing, but in the second half we played faster and that led to three goals," he said.

The forward, who has spoken of needing time to hit peak form after a pre-season knock, added: "The most important thing is that when I play, I want to score goals to help the team. Physically, I feel very good."

With Oviedo chasing shadows, spaces opened up, though Flick's men grew sloppy late on, inviting pressure. The hosts rallied, but Garcia's smart save denied Lucas Ahijado. Relief arrived in the 87th minute as Araujo towered above the pack to head in Rashford's corner, sealing a seventh straight Thursday La Liga win for Barcelona, 12 goals scored and just one conceded in their last three league outings.

Flick lauded Araujo's growth: "I'm also happy that he scored because I think it's a step forward for his confidence." The Uruguayan, trialed in a new centre-back pairing alongside Martin, has looked sharper than last term amid injuries to the likes of Lamine Yamal (groin) and Gavi (post-knee surgery).

On Garcia's error, Flick remained supportive: "It was a mistake. That's football. It's a consequence of the way Barça play. He's a fantastic goalkeeper, and he recovered well."

For Oviedo, the pain deepens under coach Luis Carrion, but their grit against the giants hints at better days. Barcelona, meanwhile, turn focus to a Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain next week, where Flick's blend of youth and experience will face its sternest test yet.

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