Lewandowski’s hat-trick fires Barcelona past Valencia in La Liga clash
Robert Lewandowski’s sensational second-half hat-trick propelled Barcelona to a thrilling 4-2 victory over 10-man Valencia in Monday’s La Liga showdown.
Barcelona’s triumph not only delighted their fans but also thwarted league leaders Real Madrid’s hopes of clinching the title merely by defeating Cadiz next Saturday. With Los Blancos holding an 11-point lead and five matches remaining, the title race remains intense.
Fermin Lopez opened the scoring for Barcelona before Hugo Duro equalized and Pepelu converted a penalty to give Valencia the lead. Valencia’s goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili’s dismissal late in the first half for a handball paved the way for Lewandowski’s heroics, as he netted three goals after the break.
Despite persistent rainfall in drought-stricken Barcelona, 30,000 fans witnessed the spectacle at the Olympic Stadium, although the attendance was impacted by the game’s rescheduling at short notice and lingering disappointment from Barcelona’s recent Clasico defeat.
Xavi Hernandez, Barcelona’s coach, expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance, particularly in light of the challenging circumstances. Visitors Valencia, eyeing European football qualification, created early opportunities, with Duro and Peter Federico threatening Barca’s defense.
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Barcelona took the lead through Lopez’s header, but a mistake by goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen allowed Duro to equalize for Valencia. Araujo’s foul on Federico resulted in a penalty converted by Pepelu, putting Valencia ahead.
Valencia’s fortunes changed when Mamardashvili’s error led to his dismissal, allowing Barcelona to capitalize. Lewandowski’s header initiated Barcelona’s comeback, with the game swinging from end to end.
Lewandowski completed his hat-trick with a well-placed free-kick in stoppage time, sealing Barcelona’s victory and showcasing their attacking prowess.
Reflecting on the match, Lewandowski emphasized Barcelona’s resilience: “If we score a lot of goals, it’s a lot easier for everyone.”
