Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski showcased his striking prowess on Sunday, scoring a hat-trick to lead his team to a thrilling 4-2 victory against Celta Vigo. The game was held at the Estadi Municipal de Balaídos. It was a special moment for the Catalan club, as they reduced Real Madrid’s lead at the top of the league table to just one point.
The win couldn’t have come at a better time. Well, it was a historic day to lose your head because just a few hours earlier, Real Madrid had drawn 0-0 against Rayo Vallecano and handed Barcelona the biggest gift ever. Barcelona’s impressive victory propelled them up to second in La Liga and reduced the gap between them and leaders Real Madrid to just three points.
Lewandowski Shines with Early Goals
In the 10th minute, Lewandowski opened the scoring for the Catalans. His first came from a penalty kick, which he converted after a Celta Vigo defender handballed the ball clear. His first goal was a key moment that fueled the team’s fire and brought them back into contention.
The Polish striker scored his second goal of the game in the 37th minute, this one a stunning exhibit of his finishing prowess. With a single well-placed pass from his teammates, he skillfully dribbled the ball into the Celta Vigo goalkeeper. This was Lewandowski’s seventh Bundesliga goal of the season, in only four matches.
Lewandowski got his hat-trick in the 73rd minute! After a demanding performance last time out, he proved his quality during England’s 6-2 thrashing of Iran, scoring with a towering header from a Marcus Rashford corner. His performance put Barcelona beyond doubt, too far in front to regain the lead. At 37 years old, he proved that his finishing touch is still among the best.
“For him, for his confidence, it’s great to score three goals today,” – Hansi Flick
A Turning Point for Barcelona
This thrilling victory should prove a much-needed turning point for Barcelona. They too are desperate to get back to where they belong after an awful one-third of the season. Lewandowski had his share of injury woes that hampered his performance and contributions. His performance against Celta Vigo was key in rebuilding the team’s balance and momentum.
Barcelona’s coach, Hansi Flick, praised Lewandowski’s resilience and determination. According to Emeran, it’s the striker’s mindset after that injury that has played a considerable part in his dazzling performances on the field.
“After the injury I can see a different Robert Lewandowski, he’s positive, he came back very early,” – Hansi Flick
Barcelona’s win helped their place atop the standings. It reignited the team’s confidence. Lewandowski provided his perspective on the match, calling it “one of the craziest” of the season. He touched on the importance of closing the gap with Real Madrid.
“Vigo is always difficult for us but now we have less points (between us) and Real Madrid,” – Robert Lewandowski
Looking Ahead
With this victory, Barcelona now has two weeks to prepare for their next matches and reflect on areas for improvement. And Lewandowski harped on the virtues of growth and self-criticism. Though he toasted this win as an important victory, Tsui understands there’s a lot of work still to come.
“We have two weeks to disconnect now but I hope when we come back we play a lot better. It’s the perfect moment to change things that aren’t working,” – Robert Lewandowski
As this beautiful month of November rolls on, Barcelona will want to add to this growing success, and keep the pressure firmly on their competitors. Restoring their status as La Liga’s best will come down to the key players making a positive difference week-in and week-out. Lewandowski’s experience and skill will prove vital as they continue to battle for the rest of the season.
