Barcelona: Robert Lewandowski scored a second-half hat-trick to power Barcelona to a 4-2 win over 10-man Valencia in La Liga on Monday.
Victory for the champions denied Real Madrid any chance of winning the crown by beating Cádiz next Saturday. Los Blancos lead by 11 points with 5 games remaining.
Fugo Lopez sent Barcelona level before Hugo Duro equalized and Pepelu fired home to turn the game around.
Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili was sent off for handball late in the first half and Lewandowski equalized after the break before adding two more.
It rained all day in drought-stricken Barcelona, leaving the 30,000-strong Olympic Stadium half-empty.
The small crowd could be the answer to Real Madrid’s red carpet loss to Barcelona last weekend, as well as Monday’s hated El Clasico defeat.
La Liga only announced the games a week in advance, which meant many could not attend today.
Those in attendance enjoyed an entertaining clash, with Barca coach Xavi Hernandez winning his first game of the season.
“I think the team is working well … we are not calm, we are not calm, but I am satisfied with the attitude of the team,” Xavi told DAZN.
Valencia, who are aiming for European football for the eighth season and beyond, made the most of their opportunity.
Hugo Duron’s shot from close range was saved by Marc-Andre ter Stegen. Real Madrid loanee Peter Federico pulled the goal wide when he slotted home.
Barcelona took the lead when Lopez headed home Raphinha’s cross.
Valencia were quick after a big mistake by Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen who ran out of the box to try to keep a long ball.
He got there first, but Duron’s header was attempted and the striker controlled the ball and headed home to Ronald Araujo.
It soon got worse for Barcelona, and Araujo made the mistake of giving away a penalty by bringing down Federico in the Champions League quarter-final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain. Valencia midfielder Pepelu saved the free kick to give Los Ces the lead.
The game turned Barcelona’s way before the break when the Valencia goalkeeper made a mistake.
Mamardashvili mishandled the ball on the edge of the box and gave it to teenager Lamine Yamal.
As Sterash tried to round the goalkeeper, the Georgian touched the ball outside the box with his hand and was sent off after a VAR review.
Jaume Domenech’s effort saved Rafina’s free-kick, but Barcelona were unable to equalize early in the second half.
Lewandowski heads home a corner to start Barcelona’s comeback.
The game was end-to-end, with Domenech making a fine save from Araujo’s header and Barça substitute Pedri making a last-ditch effort to keep out Diego Lopez’s strike.
Lewandowski eventually put Barcelona ahead from close range when Araujo’s header from a corner flew into his path.
The Polish international completed his stoppage goal with a well-placed free kick, his 16th league goal of the season.
“The first half, we didn’t have much space in attack, but the most important thing is that if you lose one or two goals, we can score three or four goals,” Lewandowski told DAZN.
“If we score more goals, it’s easier for everyone.”
