Robert Lewandowski delivered an outstanding performance by scoring three goals in the first half, helping Barcelona secure a crucial victory against Alaves. This win restored their three-point advantage at the top of the La Liga table, following Real Madrid’s win the previous day that had temporarily brought them level.
Early Lead and Control
Barcelona entered the game determined to bounce back from their unexpected defeat to Osasuna last weekend. Lewandowski wasted no time, giving the visitors the lead with a precise header, expertly guided from Raphinha’s curling cross. The Polish forward looked sharp from the start, and Alaves struggled to cope with Barcelona’s fluid attacking play.
Shortly after his first goal, Lewandowski doubled Barcelona’s advantage, finishing from close range after another impressive assist from Raphinha, who had been a constant threat down the right side.
Completing the Treble
Lewandowski capped off his first-half display by netting his third, reversing a shot past Alaves goalkeeper Antonio Sivera following a smart pass from Eric Garcia. The forward’s finishing touch underlined his remarkable form, with 12 goals now to his name in just 11 appearances across all competitions for the Catalan side this season.
Though the home team showed signs of life, with Toni Martinez briefly believing he had pulled a goal back before half-time, the effort was disallowed due to offside in the buildup.
Team Effort and Room for Improvement
After the match, Lewandowski credited his teammates for creating the chances that allowed him to score his hat-trick. He noted that while Barcelona played well and were more composed in the second half, there is still room for improvement in their game. “We’ve improved on things we were lacking,” he told DAZN, “but we can still play even better.”
Barcelona’s attacking prowess has been evident all season, as they continue to score at an impressive rate, averaging over three goals per game in La Liga. Despite the comfortable win, Lewandowski emphasized that the team has a strong group mentality, and they are focused on improving as the season progresses.
