Robert Lewandowski scored a hat-trick as Barcelona beat Celta Vigo 4-2 in La Liga on Sunday, cutting their lead over Real Madrid in the standings to three points.
The veteran Polish striker’s high goal helped Hansi Flick’s side capitalize on Los Blancos’ 0-0 draw at Rayo Vallecano.
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In another fascinating game created by the champions’ attacking approach, teenager Ramin Yamal also scored for Barça, while Marcus Rashford provided a further two assists.
Barça had Frenkie de Jong sent off for two yellow cards late in the second half, but by then the champions had secured victory and moved into second place.
Lewandowski has been forced to make stop-starts at the start of the season due to injury, and Flick said a hat-trick would give him confidence.
“After the injury, we see a different Robert Lewandowski. He is positive. He came back very quickly,” Flick told reporters.
“It was great for him, for his confidence, to score three goals today.”
Lewandowski said the game was “one of the craziest” of the season, but he was happy with the result.
“Vigo is always a difficult opponent for us, but now we have less points (between us and Real Madrid),” Lewandowski told Movistar.
Flick insisted Barcelona have no intention of changing style despite some recent struggles, including Wednesday’s 3-3 Champions League draw with Club Brugge and a rough first half.
The champions took the lead with Lewandowski’s penalty in the 10th minute following a handball, but Celta equalized a minute later.
Rashford missed a one-on-one chance, allowing Celta to break free and score, with Sergio Carreira slipping in behind Barça’s high defensive line.
Coach Flick, who was without some of his star players due to injury, had called on his team to fight even harder in his absence, and the team looked even more energetic at Balaidos.
Lewandowski looked back to his best and grabbed his second goal from Rashford’s inviting cross to put Barca back in the lead in the 37th minute.
Celta hit back immediately, this time through Borja Iglesias, who smashed home from the edge of the box.
However, Barca took the lead when Rashford’s deflected cross hit teenage star Yamal, who beat Ionat Radu at his near post.
In the second half, both teams showed more stability, with Barca gaining the upper hand and Celta being forced to retreat.
Lewandowski completed his hat-trick in the win with a header from Rashford’s corner in the 73rd minute.
It was the striker’s seventh league goal of the season in just four starts, and showed that his finishing quality has not diminished even at the age of 37.
“I’ve been out for two weeks now, but I hope I can play even better when I come back. It’s the perfect time to change things that aren’t working,” Lewandowski said.
Real Madrid’s dissatisfaction
Earlier on Sunday, La Liga leaders Real Madrid were given a chance to close in on champions Barcelona after a disappointing goalless draw with Rayo Vallecano.
Rayo put up a strong effort against the derby and although Real Madrid had the better chances, the hosts also had chances to win a hard-fought match.
They have managed to limit La Liga’s top scorer Kylian Mbappé’s influence while also keeping Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham safe at arm’s length.
Madrid were hoping to bounce back from Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League loss to Liverpool at Anfield, but it was the second time in the league this season that Alonso’s side have dropped points.
“We want to continue to grow and improve, with positive and constructive self-criticism. This is Real Madrid. Everyone knows where they are and what they want,” coach Xabi Alonso told reporters.
“We’re in November and there’s a long way to go. We need to make demands of ourselves, but at the same time we need to be valued.”
Andrei Latiu fired straight at Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, and Iñigo Perez’s Rayo was the first to threaten.
After that, Madrid began to take the lead, but the hosts, who were mid-table, also held firm.
Rayo goalkeeper Augusto Batala made an instinctive save to deny Vinicius’ shot, denying the hosts the ball to Madrid superstar Mbappe.
In the second half, De Frutos and Alvaro García went close on Rayo, but Bellingham forced Batala to make another good save.
