Barcelona returned to winning ways in La Liga with a thrilling 4-2 victory over Celta Vigo at the Camp Nou, thanks to a sensational hat-trick from Robert Lewandowski. The Polish striker was in clinical form, and alongside a decisive strike from teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, ensured the Catalans secured all three points in a game full of twists and attacking flair.
Lewandowski Opens the Scoring
The match burst into life just ten minutes in. Barcelona were awarded a penalty after Marcos Alonso handled inside the box. Lewandowski, ever the calm finisher, slotted the spot-kick past Ionut Radu to give the visitors an early advantage. However, Celta Vigo responded almost immediately. Just a minute later, Sergio Carreira picked up the ball near halfway, surged forward, and fired past Wojciech Szczesny to level the score at 1-1, shocking the home crowd.
Back-and-Forth First Half
The first half continued at a frantic pace. In the 37th minute, Barcelona regained the lead when Marcus Rashford delivered a pinpoint cross that Lewandowski expertly tapped through Radu’s legs for his second goal of the night. Yet Celta refused to lie down, and moments later, Borja Iglesias equalised with a first-time strike from the edge of the box, making it 2-2 and showcasing the hosts’ resilience.
As the half approached injury time, Barcelona once again inched ahead. Rashford cut the ball into the box, finding Moriba, whose touch redirected the ball to Lamine Yamal. The 18-year-old prodigy showed composure beyond his years, beating Radu at the near post to put Barcelona 3-2 up heading into the break. By this stage, it was clear the game would be an open, end-to-end spectacle.
Lewandowski Completes Hat-Trick
The second half saw Barcelona take control, though Celta continued to probe for openings. In the 73rd minute, Lewandowski completed his hat-trick. Rashford swung in a corner towards the Polish striker at the near post, and Lewandowski cleverly flicked it into the bottom corner, leaving Radu with no chance. The goal effectively put the game out of reach, giving Barcelona a 4-2 lead and sparking jubilant celebrations from the visiting supporters.
Barcelona’s dominance was reflected in the stats. They posted a superior expected goals (xG) figure of 3.18 compared to Celta’s 0.58, highlighting the visitors’ attacking control and efficiency. Lewandowski, in particular, showcased his intelligence and clinical finishing, while Rashford’s creativity and Yamal’s youthful composure added crucial layers to the victory.
Late Drama: De Jong Sent Off
Despite securing the three points, Barcelona’s evening ended with a note of frustration. Frenkie de Jong was shown a second yellow card in stoppage time for stepping on Iago Aspas’ foot, reducing the Catalans to 10 men for the final minutes. The Dutch midfielder will now miss the next league fixture against Athletic Club, but by then, the result was already beyond doubt.
Match Summary
- Final Score: Barcelona 4–2 Celta Vigo
- Goals: Lewandowski (10’, 37’, 73’), Yamal (45+4’) | Carreira (11’), Iglesias (43’)
- xG: Barcelona 3.18 – Celta Vigo 0.58
- Man of the Match: Robert Lewandowski
- Venue: Camp Nou, Barcelona
Barcelona XI:
Szczesny; Balde, Cubarsi, Araujo, García; Olmo, Lopez, de Jong; Rashford, Lewandowski, Yamal
Celta Vigo XI:
Radu; Alonso, Starfelt, Fernandez; Carreira, Moriba, Sotelo, Mingueza; Duran, Iglesias, Jutgla
Analysis
Barcelona’s victory showcased their attacking firepower and resilience. Lewandowski was unstoppable, converting three crucial goals and keeping Barcelona ahead every time Celta responded. Rashford’s vision and crosses created multiple chances, while Yamal’s decisive goal illustrated why the teenager is considered one of Europe’s brightest prospects.
Celta Vigo, despite a spirited performance and two quick-fire equalizers, could not match Barcelona’s finishing quality. Their high defensive line was repeatedly exposed by Lewandowski’s intelligent movement and Rashford’s deliveries, highlighting the difference between clinical attacking and defensive vulnerability.
Looking Ahead
The win lifts Barcelona back into third place in La Liga, six points behind leaders Real Madrid. With Lewandowski in prolific form and Yamal emerging as a key attacking talent, Barcelona look well-placed to challenge for the title in the second half of the season. Celta Vigo, meanwhile, must regroup and find consistency to climb the table after an impressive unbeaten streak was tested against a top-tier opponent.
