Hat trick Lewandowski good for victory for Barcelona in a messy match against Valencia

NOS Football•yesterday, 11:25 PM

FC Barcelona won 4-2 at home against Valencia. It was not easy for the number two in the Spanish league, but at the end of a messy football evening, striker Robert Lewandowski redeemed himself with a hat trick.

The victory keeps Barcelona two points ahead of Girona in the battle for second place. The two Catalan clubs will meet each other on Saturday.

Halfway through the first half, Barcelona made their dominance visible on the scoreboard. Fermín Lopez headed home from a measured cross from Raphinha: 1-0. Not a problem, thought the spectators who braved rain and gusts of wind in Barcelona’s temporary shelter on top of Montjuïc.

But a good five minutes after the opening goal, the score was suddenly equal again, thanks to Marc-André Ter Stegen. Barcelona’s German goalkeeper tried to nonchalantly tip the ball over the oncoming Hugo Duro, but made a clumsy mistake.

Duro took the ball and easily made it 1-1. As if that wasn’t enough, Barcelona made it even more difficult for themselves. Ronald Araújo caused a penalty with an ill-timed tackle on Peter González. When Pepelu started his run, the Valencia fans already cheered up. He made it 1-2 with his sixth goal of the season – all from the spot.

Valencia went into halftime with a lead, but did so with ten men. In injury time of the first half, goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili was sent off the field. The impetuous Georgian made a handball outside the box and thus prevented an almost certain goal from Lamine Yamal.

With substitute keeper Jaume Doménech under the bar, Valencia started a 45-minute survival journey. During the second half, coach Ruben Baraja’s team was forced back into their own half.

Robert Lewandowski quickly headed in the equalizer, after which the Polish striker and teammates Araújo, Ilkay Gündogan and substitute João Félix missed opportunities. Barcelona was better, certainly in abundance, but not flashy or ingenious enough to make a difference.

After all, it was ultimately Lewandowski’s head that provided the redemption. The Pole ended the match with his fifteenth goal this season in La Liga.

His trainer Xavi looked relieved on the line. The coach, who remains despite a previously announced departure, was happy to wash away the lost El Clasico with a victory. There was even a laugh in injury time, when Lewandowski completed his hat trick with a striking free kick.