Alaves silenced the Camp Nou within a minute of the kick-off when Barcelona were unable to clear a corner, and Marc Casado’s miskick caused panic, allowing Pablo Ibanez to fire home.
Remarkably, it was almost two within 60 seconds as the hosts struggled to settle.
However, after seven minutes, Raphinha produced Barcelona’s first shot at goal, and soon after, Lamine Yamal smashed the equaliser into the roof of the net, following top work from the Brazilian down the left flank.
Approaching the halfway point of the first half, the Catalans had taken control of the game, though Alaves still looked dangerous on the break with Lucas Boye particularly impressive.
Joan Garcia was lying on the floor when he managed to sensationally claw Jonny Otto’s goalbound shot away, before Barca went straight down the opposite end, where Dani Olmo drilled in a second for the hosts from Raphinha’s pinpoint assist.
A long ball almost caught out the Alaves defence as half-time approached, and though the Brazilian got a foot to the ball, visiting keeper Antonio Sivera was quickly off his line to snuff out the chance.
A one-two between Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal should’ve seen a third goal, but the latter only succeeded in hitting the base of the post.
With Marcus Rashford added to Barca’s attack, the hosts began the second half on the front foot, yet a five-man defence for the visitors made life difficult.
Lewandowski’s powerful point-blank header brought the best out of Sivera, shortly before Yamal’s long-range curling effort sailed just over as the hosts continued to dominate.
The hosts continued to probe, with Olmo missing a sitter when well placed, whilst Pedri’s introduction stopped Alavés from getting up the pitch, despite the efforts of former Barca players, Denis Suarez and Carlos Alena.
A last-ditch tackle from Pau Cubarsi kept out Boye’s shot after a late Alaves breakaway, and Garcia was equal to Jon Guridi’s effort as the visitors threatened once more.
With two minutes left of stoppage time and the visitors pushing forward, they were caught out again as Olmo slid home goal number three.
This loss marks Alaves’ fifth of the season away from home, meaning they’ve picked up less than a third of their points on their travels.
Meanwhile, a fourth straight league win for Hansi Flick keeps the pressure on Real Madrid, who now trail by two points with a game in hand.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Raphinha (Barcelona)
