Robert Lewandowski netted a double as FC Barcelona cruised to a 4-1 win over Girona to go three points ahead at the summit of La Liga on Sunday. Following second-placed Real Madrid having caught up on them on points on Saturday, defeating Leganes, Hansi Flick’s team reclaimed their lead at the Olympic Stadium. Lewandowski responded to Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe’s double with one of his own to remain three goals clear in Spain’s golden boot race. Barcelona, this year unbeaten in 20 games, were led ahead by a Ladislav Krejci own goal late in the first half.
Girona’s Brief Fightback and Barcelona’s Response
Arnaut Danjuma brought Girona level before Lewandowski scored twice and Ferran Torres sealed the rout. Girona defeated Barcelona twice last year but have been unable to scale those heights again and are currently 13th.
Robert Lewandowski on FC Barcelona’s Performance and His Future
FC Barcelona’s striker Robert Lewandowski said, “We played with patience, we had a plan, and if we play with that plan, we can always score a lot of goals and win the game.”
The 36-year-old emphasized his desire to continue playing at the highest level. “I know a lot of people are talking about my age, but… I want to play more years at the top level,” said the Polish international. He further elaborated on his fitness: “I feel very good physically. I think looking at the stats, there’s no difference now to a few years ago.”
First Half: FC Barcelona Dominate but Struggle to Convert
Hansi Flick made some of his regular suspects switch with the Copa del Rey semi-final encounter against Atletico Madrid in mind. Barca were short of their free-scoring best in the first half even as they dominated, threatening at times through the dynamic running of teenage sensation Lamine Yamal and the desperate urgency of Fermin Lopez.
Paulo Gazzaniga denied Lopez on the counter-attack after Viktor Tsygankov wasted Girona’s first good chance. Gazzaniga saved well from Lewandowski and then Yamal, who also fired over.
FC Barcelona wanted a penalty when Fermin was brought down by Yaser Asprilla on the edge of the box, and a free-kick was given. A VAR review showed the contact was inside the area, but the referee decided Lopez fouled Asprilla as they came together, much to Barcelona’s chagrin.
Breakthrough Before Half-Time
Gazzaniga made a dramatic save with his fingers to send out a Ronald Araujo header, but Barca breached before half-time. Yamal’s threatening free-kick towards Eric Garcia was headed into his own net by Krejci at the near post.
Girona Equalize but Barcelona Takes Control
Girona had created very little of any significance in the first half but were level eight minutes into the second thanks to Danjuma. Daley Blind played the Dutch striker in, and he finished clinically low past Wojciech Szczesny.
But Barcelona was quickly back ahead as La Liga’s leading marksman, Lewandowski, scored his 24th of the season. Lopez headed the ball across the six-yard box, and Lewandowski bent his body to get to it and flick it between Gazzaniga’s legs.
FC Barcelona Seals the Win in Style
The forward sealed Barcelona’s win with his 25th, firing home after substitute Frenkie de Jong moved into space and teed him up. There was still time for Torres to make it four, with Gerard Martin picking him out and the excellent Yamal bending a shot against the crossbar.
This was amazingly the 20th occasion this season Flick’s team has hit four or more goals from 45 matches, with a possible treble within their grasp.
“In the first half, we had the game under control but lacked the final ball. In the second half, we played more attacking, made more chances, and scored some goals. That’s the most important thing,” said Lewandowski.