European football: Barça retake top spot, Atalanta fight back to beat Napoli

Guardian Sport

by Agencies

February 22, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Barcelona reclaimed the top spot in La Liga with a dominant 3-0 victory over Levante at Camp Nou. Goals from Marc Bernal, Frenkie de Jong, and substitute Fermín López ensured Barça’s return to first place after their recent slip to second following a loss to Girona. This win moves them to 61 points from 25 games, one point ahead of Real Madrid, who lost to Osasuna earlier in the week. Meanwhile, Atalanta continued their fight for a top-four spot in Serie A with a thrilling 2-1 comeback against Napoli. Despite trailing early, Atalanta’s late goals turned the tide and kept them in contention. Barcelona’s match against Levante was a display of control and precision. The Catalans dominated from start to finish, with Bernal opening the scoring after a well-taken corner kick. De Jong doubled the lead with a powerful strike from outside the box, showcasing his growing confidence in midfield. Substitute López rounded things off with a composed finish, marking his contribution after coming off the bench. Atalanta’s clash with Napoli was a tense encounter. The Partenopei went ahead through an early goal by Andrea Petagna, but Atalanta responded in the second half. Duván Zapata equalized with a clinical header from a corner kick, and then, in stoppage time, Robin Gosens delivered a pinpoint cross for captain Roberto Piccoli to head home the winner. This late heroics demonstrated Atalanta’s resilience and ability to compete with bigger teams. These results highlight the competitive nature of both La Liga and Serie A. Barcelona’s consistency under new manager Xavi Hernández continues to keep them at the forefront, while Atalanta’s performances show they are a force to be reckoned with in Italy. For sports enthusiasts, these matches underscore the unpredictable and thrilling nature of football, where even against stronger opponents, determination can tilt the balance in favor of the underdog. The outcomes also have significant implications for the league standings. Barcelona’s return to first place underscores their title credentials, while Atalanta’s late win keeps alive their hopes of securing a Champions League spot. Both teams’ performances remind fans that every game is a battle for points and prestige, making each match a potential turning point in the season. For sports fans, these moments encapsulate the excitement and drama

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Originally published on Guardian Sport on 2/22/2026