LA LIGA, Spain (BN24) — Robert Lewandowski marked his return to Barcelona’s starting lineup with a hat-trick that propelled the Catalan giants to a 4-2 win over Celta Vigo in La Liga on Sunday, tightening the race at the top of the table.
The Polish striker, making his first start since recovering from a thigh injury that kept him out for more than a month, delivered a commanding performance at Balaídos. His three goals restored Barcelona’s momentum in their title defense under new head coach Hansi Flick.
Barcelona started brightly and took the lead early when Lewandowski calmly converted from the penalty spot after Celta conceded a foul inside the box. The home side responded swiftly, as Sergio Carreira found space to slot past goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen and bring Celta level.
The visitors regained control midway through the first half when Lewandowski struck again. The forward latched onto a precise pass in open play and placed his finish beyond Vicente Guaita to make it 2-1. But Celta Vigo refused to fold. Borja Iglesias equalized shortly before halftime, capitalizing on a loose ball inside the area to make it 2-2 and send the home fans into celebration.
Just when it seemed the sides would enter the break level, teenage sensation Lamine Yamal restored Barcelona’s advantage in first-half stoppage time. The 17-year-old showed composure and skill to slot home, giving the visitors a 3-2 lead heading into halftime.
In the second half, Barcelona maintained their attacking rhythm and eventually sealed the result. With less than 20 minutes remaining, Lewandowski completed his hat-trick, rising above his marker to head home from a corner. The powerful finish secured his first treble of the season and effectively ended Celta’s hopes of a comeback.
Lewandowski’s return proved crucial for Hansi Flick’s side, who had missed the veteran striker’s presence in recent matches. His movement, precision, and clinical finishing gave Barcelona the edge in an intense contest where both teams pushed forward relentlessly.
Celta pressed late in search of a response, but Barcelona’s defense held firm under pressure. In the final moments, Yamal nearly added a fifth goal for the visitors when his curling effort struck the post, drawing gasps from both sets of supporters.
The victory lifts Barcelona to 28 points, narrowing the gap to just three points behind league leaders Real Madrid. The result also serves as a confidence boost as the Catalans continue to recover from a string of uneven performances earlier in the season.
Hansi Flick praised Lewandowski’s impact after the match, emphasizing his leadership and sharpness in front of goal. For Barcelona, the result was more than just three points; it was a statement of intent in their quest to reclaim the La Liga title.
