Robert Lewandowski’s ruthless hat-trick propelled Barcelona to a pulsating 4-2 victory over Celta Vigo on Sunday, trimming Real Madrid’s lead at the La Liga summit to just three points in a match defined by three lead changes and a late red card.
The Polish striker, fresh from injury, struck first from the spot in the 10th minute after Marcos Alonso’s handball on the line, only for Sergio Carreira to level seconds later in the 11th. Lewandowski restored order with a towering header from Marcus Rashford’s cross in the 37th, but Borja Iglesias’ crossbar-rattling effort equalised once more three minutes before the break.
Teenage sensation Lamine Yamal then chipped in the half-time decider in the 45th, before Lewandowski sealed his treble in the 73rd by flicking home another Rashford delivery from a corner, capping a clinical display that left Celta’s defence in tatters.
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick lavished praise on his talisman post-match, saying: “After his injury, I’ve seen a different Lewandowski, a positive one. He came back ahead of schedule. It’s great that he’s scored three goals to boost his confidence. Last season he was very important for us.”36822f
Flick also rued a stoppage-time flashpoint when midfielder Frenkie de Jong was dismissed for a second yellow, leaving his side to see out the win with 10 men. “(De Jong) had a great game, he controlled the match. He’s playing at an incredible level. It’s not good that he’ll miss the next game, we’ll have to deal with it,” the German added.35ebf7
“It’s always better to go into an international break with a win. I hope everyone comes back healthy,” Flick concluded, reflecting on the morale boost ahead of the pause.a1906c
The result catapults Barcelona to 28 points from 12 outings, two clear of Villarreal in third, while Celta Vigo languish in 13th on 13 points — five adrift of the European chase. Madrid’s earlier stalemate with Rayo Vallecano handed the Catalans a timely lifeline in the title race.
