April 30, 2024

Barcelona 4-2 Valencia: Lewandowski Hat-Trick Leads Xavi’s Side to Victory Against 10-Man Visitors – La Liga

Robert Lewandowski netted a hat-trick as Barcelona overcame 10-man Valencia to secure a 4-2 win. Despite Valencia’s goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili being sent off in first-half stoppage time, the match seemed destined for a draw until Lewandowski struck twice late. With this victory, Barcelona reclaimed second place in La Liga, trailing leaders Real Madrid by 11 points.

Fermin Lopez opened the scoring for Barcelona with a powerful header in the 22nd minute. However, Valencia quickly responded, with Hugo Duro capitalizing on a mistake by Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who misjudged a pass and allowed Duro to score. Valencia took the lead in the 38th minute when Pepelu converted a penalty after Ronald Araujo brought Peter Gonzalez down in the box.

Valencia’s hopes suffered a blow as goalkeeper Mamardashvili was sent off for handling the ball outside the box after mishandling a backpass. Valencia held on for much of the second half with substitute goalkeeper Jaume Domenech in goal. Still, Lewandowski completed his hat-trick with two crucial goals, securing the win for Barcelona.

Lewandowski’s near-post header brought Barcelona level four minutes into the second half. The Polish striker struck again with another header from a set piece, putting the home side in front with just eight minutes left on the clock.

Valencia struggled to clear Ilkay Gundogan’s inswinging delivery, and the ball bounced off Ronald Araujo’s head, falling perfectly for Lewandowski to tap into the open net.

But Lewandowski wasn’t finished. Deep into stoppage time, he curled a beautiful free-kick into the top corner, completing his hat-trick and sealing Barcelona’s fourth goal.

Barça will head to Girona this weekend for a crucial clash as both teams compete for the final Supercopa spot.

Talking Point – Can You Win Anything with Kids?

While La Masia continues to produce young talents breaking into Barcelona’s first team as early as 16 or 17, it still took a 35-year-old Robert Lewandowski’s hat-trick to secure this victory.

Xavi started 17-year-old Pau Cubarsí at center-back, ahead of more experienced options like Iñigo Martínez, Marcos Alonso, and Oriol Romeu. In a surprising move, natural central defender Andreas Christensen was shifted into holding midfield to cover for the injured Frenkie de Jong. 

However, with the match slipping in the first half, Xavi turned to experience. He brought on Martínez at halftime to replace Cubarsí and introduced 32-year-old Sergi Roberto to stabilize the midfield.

Barcelona’s tight budget means they’ll likely rely on their youth to compete with Real Madrid’s financial power in the coming years. However, this match showed that while talent is crucial, experience is indispensable when things get tough, as it did in the first half.

Player Ratings

Barcelona: Ter Stegen 5, Koundé 6, Araújo 5, Cubarsí 5, Cancelo 6, Gündogan 6, Christensen 5, Fermín 8, Yamal 6, Lewandowski 8, Raphinha 6.

Subs: Roberto 6, Martínez 6, Félix 6, Pedri 6, Torres 6.

Valencia: Mamardashvili 5, Correia 7, Mosquera 7, Gasiorowski 6, Vázquez 5, López 5, Pepelu 6, Guerra 7, González 6, Almeida 5, Duro 7.

Subs: Domenech 6, Mari 6, Guillamon 6, Canós 6, Özkacar 6.

Match Highlights

22′: GOAL! BARCELONA 1-0 VALENCIA (FERMÍN)

Barcelona strikes first! Cancelo runs down the left, returning to Raphinha, who whips in a brilliant cross. Fermín surges into the box and heads the ball into the far corner.

27′: GOAL! BARCELONA 1-1 VALENCIA (DURO)

What a blunder from ter Stegen! A long ball from Correia finds Duro, who plays it forward and is kept onside by Koundé. Ter Stegen tries to chip the ball over Duro but misjudges it, allowing the striker to slot into the empty net.

38′: PENALTY TO VALENCIA!

Another defensive error from Barça! Duro wins a header, and Araújo, caught out of position, desperately fouls Peter González in the box.

GOAL! BARCELONA 1-2 VALENCIA (PEPELU)

Pepelu steps up and calmly sends ter Stegen the wrong way, slotting the ball down the middle to give Valencia the lead.

45+3′: HANDBALL AND RED CARD FOR MAMARDASHVILI!

A poor backpass from Gasiorowski is mishandled by Mamardashvili, allowing Yamal to pounce. Outside his area, the goalkeeper appears to use his hand to stop the ball, and after a VAR review, he’s shown a red card. Valencia are down to 10 men!

49 ‘: GOAL! BARCELONA 2-2 VALENCIA (LEWANDOWSKI)

Barcelona equalize! Lewandowski powers a header from a corner near the post. There’s some debate about Fermín being offside, but the goal stands.

82′: GOAL! BARCELONA 3-2 VALENCIA (LEWANDOWSKI)

Barça finally took the lead! Gündogan’s inswinging cross isn’t cleared correctly, and the ball bounces off Araújo’s head, landing perfectly for Lewandowski to nod it into the open net.

90+4′: GOAL! BARCELONA 4-2 VALENCIA (LEWANDOWSKI)

Hat-trick for Lewandowski! He curls a brilliant free-kick over the wall and into the top corner, sealing the win for Barcelona.

Stand by your favorite team! Head to our site and let them know you’re with them all the way.

Latest Football News | Bundesliga  | English Premier League | French Ligue 1 | Italian Serie A | La Liga | La Liga News | Portuguese Primieira Liga