Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski celebrates scoring his aspect’s third objective throughout a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Valencia on the Olimpic Lluis Companys stadium in Barcelona, Spain on April 29, 2024.
| Photo Credit: AP
Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski scored a hat-trick within the second half to assist his aspect combat again to declare a hard-fought 4-2 win on Monday over guests Valencia, who have been main 2-1 after they have been diminished to 10 males simply earlier than the break.
With 5 video games remaining, Barca moved again to second in LaLiga on 73 factors as they leapfrogged shock package deal Girona, who’re third with 71.
Those two groups will meet in a Catalonia derby on Saturday which may determine a top-two LaLiga end and a spot within the Spanish Super Cup.
Barcelona’s win postponed for a few weeks Real Madrid’s virtually inevitable LaLiga title celebrations as Carlo Ancelotti’s aspect sit atop the standings on 84 factors.
Valencia keep eighth on 47 factors, two factors behind Real Betis and 4 off Real Sociedad within the battle for a European qualifying spot.
In Barca’s first recreation since boss Xavi Hernandez stated he was reversing his choice to step down on the finish of the season, they struggled on a moist floor after heavy rain turned the match right into a frantic tussle marked by goalkeeping errors.
The guests wasted a sitter from close-range by way of Peter Federico early after which allowed Fermin Lopez to head residence from a Raphinha cross to put Barca in entrance after 22 minutes.
But Valencia’s Hugo Duro struck within the 27th, benefiting from an error by keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen who tried to chip a clearance from the sting of the field however as a substitute gifted the ball for the striker to equalise into the empty internet.
Another mistake by Barca’s defence 11 minutes later noticed Ronald Araujo bundle over Federico and Pepelu transformed the penalty to give the guests the lead.
However, Valencia have been quickly down to 10 males when keeper Giorgi Mamardashvili dealt with as he raced exterior his space simply earlier than the break and was proven a crimson card because the final man.
He failed to management a again cross and stopped the ball together with his arm to cease Lamine Yamal working by way of on the empty objective.
Barca piled on the strain after halftime and Valencia crumbled, with Lewandowski scoring with two headers from corners within the 49th and 82nd earlier than netting a free-kick in added time.
“It wasn’t easy… In the first half we didn’t have much space,” Poland striker Lewandowski instructed DAZN. “But the important thing is that we are Barca and we know that, although we conceded two goals, we can score three and four goals.
“We knew we had to play with endurance within the second half. We’re good now and we’ve got to take into consideration Girona.”
Lewandowski is now fourth-top scorer in LaLiga on 16 targets, one behind Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham and Villarreal’s Alexander Sorloth and three off Girona’s Artem Dovbyk.