Robert Lewandowski produced a masterclass performance, scoring a hat-trick to lead Barcelona to a 4-2 win over Celta Vigo in La Liga on Sunday, narrowing Real Madrid’s lead to just three points. The veteran striker’s treble allowed Hansi Flick’s side to capitalize on Madrid’s 0-0 draw at Rayo Vallecano earlier in the day.
Teenager Lamine Yamal also made his mark by scoring, while Marcus Rashford contributed two assists, showcasing Barcelona’s attacking flair despite injuries to key players like Pedri, Raphinha, and Joan Garcia. The match was intense from the outset, with Barca taking the lead in the 10th minute through a Lewandowski penalty after Marcos Alonso handled a Fermin Lopez shot, only for Celta to equalize a minute later.
Rashford had a one-on-one chance squandered, and Celta took advantage of Barca’s high defensive line when Sergio Carreira calmly finished behind Wojciech Szczesny. Barcelona responded strongly, with Lewandowski scoring his second from a precise Rashford cross in the 37th minute. Celta hit back quickly through Borja Iglesias, firing a rocket from the edge of the box, but Barca reclaimed the lead before halftime thanks to Rashford’s deflected cross finding Yamal, who finished expertly at the near post.
The second half saw Barcelona controlling possession, forcing Celta to sit deep and limit opportunities. Lewandowski completed his hat-trick in the 73rd minute with a header from a Rashford corner, giving Barca a comfortable two-goal cushion. This marked his seventh league goal of the season in just four starts, underlining his enduring quality at 37 despite an injury-hit campaign.
Rashford’s influence continued, stepping in for the sidelined Raphinha, providing seven La Liga assists so far this season. Yamal came close to adding a fifth goal late on, but his shot hit the post after a clever run past goalkeeper Ionut Radu.
The game ended on a slightly sour note for Barcelona when Frenkie de Jong was sent off in stoppage time for a second yellow card after stepping on Iago Aspas’ foot. Nevertheless, the victory offers a major boost for Flick and his squad, building confidence ahead of upcoming fixtures and demonstrating that Barcelona’s attacking identity remains potent even amidst injuries.
This win also highlighted the seamless integration of new and returning players, showing that Barcelona can rely on a blend of experience and youth to maintain their pursuit of La Liga glory.
