In a rollercoaster match, the veteran striker answered his critics with a stunning treble, capitalizing on Real Madrid’s stumble to ignite the La Liga title race.
Robert Lewandowski turned back the clock on Sunday, scoring a brilliant hat-trick to propel Barcelona to a thrilling 4-2 victory over Celta Vigo. The win was made even sweeter as it allowed the Catalan giants to capitalize on Real Madrid’s surprising 0-0 draw with Rayo Vallecano earlier in the day, cutting the lead at the top of La Liga to just three points.
The match was a wild, end-to-end affair that perfectly encapsulated Barcelona’s new attacking philosophy under coach Hansi Flick. After a handball in the box, Lewandowski calmly slotted home a penalty to give Barca an early lead, only for Celta to hit back a minute later, exploiting the home side’s high defensive line.
The game continued its chaotic pace, with Barcelona’s Marcus Rashford providing a constant threat. The Polish striker, looking back to his best, rose to meet a perfect Rashford cross to restore the lead. Yet again, Celta refused to lie down, equalizing for a second time before halftime.
The momentum swung decisively back to Barcelona just before the break, as teenage sensation Lamine Yamal pounced on a deflected cross to make it 3-2.
The second half was a more controlled display from the champions, who dominated possession and finally put the game to bed when Lewandowski powered a header from a Rashford corner into the net to complete his hat-trick. The victory was slightly marred by a late red card for Frenkie de Jong, but by then, the points were secure.
For Lewandowski, who has battled injuries at the start of the season, the performance was a massive statement. His manager, Hansi Flick, was beaming with pride for his star striker.
“After the injury, I can see a different Robert Lewandowski; he’s positive, he came back very early,” Flick told reporters. “For him, for his confidence, it’s great to score three goals today.”
Lewandowski himself acknowledged the bizarre nature of the game, calling it “one of the craziest” of the season. He was also quick to highlight the significance of the result in the title race. “Vigo is always difficult for us,” he said, “but now we have less points between us and Real Madrid.”
The hat-trick takes Lewandowski’s tally to seven league goals from just four starts, a stunning return that proves his world-class finishing remains as sharp as ever at 37. With the international break now upon us, Barcelona will hope this electrifying victory marks a true turning point in their season.
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