Barcelona staged a remarkable comeback on Monday as striker Robert Lewandowski scored a sensational hat-trick in the second half to secure a hard-fought 4-2 victory over Valencia. The visitors had taken a 2-1 lead before being reduced to 10 men just before halftime, allowing Barca to capitalize on their advantage.
With this crucial win, Barcelona moved back to second place in La Liga with 73 points, leapfrogging Girona who now sits third with 71 points. The upcoming Catalonia derby between Barcelona and Girona could potentially determine a top-two finish in La Liga and a spot in the Spanish Super Cup.
Real Madrid’s title celebrations were put on hold as Barcelona’s victory delayed their inevitable La Liga triumph. Real Madrid currently leads the standings with 84 points, leaving Barcelona with a tough battle ahead in the remaining five games of the season.
Despite the challenging conditions with heavy rain affecting the match, Barcelona managed to secure the win thanks to Lewandowski’s heroics. The Polish striker’s goals came at crucial moments, with two headers from corners and a free-kick in added time sealing the victory for his team.
Lewandowski, who is now the fourth-top scorer in La Liga with 16 goals, expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance, highlighting the importance of patience and resilience in securing the win. Barcelona will now shift their focus to the upcoming clash against Girona, knowing that every point is crucial in the race for a top-two finish in La Liga.