A hat-trick from Lewandowski gave FC Barcelona a 3-0 victory this Sunday away at Alavés, a result that leaves the 'Culés' with a three-point lead at the top of La Liga.
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In the Basque Country, the ninth-round La Liga match between Alavés and FC Barcelona was effectively decided by halftime, thanks to a masterful performance from Robert Lewandowski.
The Polish striker demonstrated his world-class quality by scoring a hat-trick within the first 32 minutes of the match, sealing a comprehensive 3-0 victory for the Catalan side.
Lewandowski opened the scoring just seven minutes into the match with a typical poacher's finish, capitalizing on a defensive lapse by Alavés. His positioning and awareness were on full display as he expertly timed his run to slot the ball home past the Alavés goalkeeper. This early goal immediately set the tone for Barcelona’s dominance, with the home side struggling to contain the attacking threat of the Blaugrana.
Just 15 minutes later, Lewandowski doubled Barcelona’s lead, this time showcasing his clinical finishing abilities. The Polish forward received a perfectly weighted pass inside the box and calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner, leaving the Alavés defense in disarray. The strike not only further demoralized the home team but also allowed Barcelona to comfortably control the pace of the game, with Alavés offering little in response.
By the 32nd minute, Lewandowski completed his hat-trick, effectively putting the game to bed. His third goal was a display of his exceptional footballing intelligence, as he maneuvered through the Alavés defense with ease before finishing past the helpless goalkeeper. With a three-goal cushion before halftime, Barcelona was able to cruise through the remainder of the match, holding firm defensively while still threatening to extend their lead further.
This win solidified Barcelona’s position at the top of the La Liga standings, with 24 points, extending their lead to three points ahead of arch-rivals Real Madrid. The result also highlights Barcelona’s form as they continue their La Liga campaign and prepare for their upcoming Champions League matches, where they will face Benfica. With Lewandowski firing on all cylinders, Barcelona looks to be one of the most formidable sides in Europe this season.
Meanwhile, the race for the top four in La Liga remains highly competitive. Villarreal, sitting in third place with 17 points, could still be overtaken depending on the outcome of Atlético Madrid's match later in the day. Atlético, also with 17 points, would leapfrog Villarreal into third place if they manage to secure a victory against Real Sociedad, a crucial fixture in their push for Champions League qualification. The tight competition at the top of the table adds an extra layer of excitement to the ongoing La Liga campaign, with every point proving vital in the battle for European spots.
Earlier in the day, Girona secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Athletic Bilbao, thanks in large part to an outstanding performance by Argentine goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga. The match was filled with drama, particularly from the penalty spot, where Gazzaniga became the hero of the day by saving not one, but three penalties although one save was made under controversial circumstances.
The first of Gazzaniga’s heroics came in the 28th minute when he dove to his left to deny Alex Berenguer from converting his penalty. The Girona goalkeeper’s sharp reflexes kept the score level and provided his team with a much-needed boost of confidence. However, the drama didn’t end there. In the 56th minute, Iñaki Williams was awarded a penalty for Athletic Bilbao, but Gazzaniga once again came to the rescue, saving the spot-kick. Controversy ensued as the referee ruled that Gazzaniga had moved off his line before the ball was struck, forcing the penalty to be retaken. Unfazed, Gazzaniga stepped up once more and produced a second save in the 58th minute, this time denying Ander Herrera’s effort with his feet.
Despite Gazzaniga’s heroics, Athletic Bilbao managed to equalize in the 41st minute through Oihan Sancet, who found the back of the net after a spell of pressure from the visitors. The goal came just two minutes after Colombian forward Yaser Asprilla had given Girona the lead in the 39th minute with a composed finish inside the box. The match was finely poised at 1-1 heading into the final stages, with both teams pushing for a winner.
In a thrilling conclusion, Girona was awarded a penalty in stoppage time. Uruguayan striker Cristhian Stuani, who had only just been introduced in the 90+3 minute, calmly stepped up to take the spot-kick. His cool finish in the 90+9 minute handed Girona a dramatic 2-1 victory. Athletic’s goalkeeper, Mexican Alex Padilla, managed to get a hand to the ball but couldn’t prevent it from crossing the line. The late winner secured a crucial three points for Girona and sent their fans into raptures.
With this victory, Girona temporarily moved up to 11th place in the La Liga standings, accumulating 12 points, while Athletic Bilbao remains in sixth with 14 points. The win was a significant boost for Girona, who had been struggling to find consistent form this season after their sensational third-place finish in the 2023/24 campaign. For Athletic Bilbao, the defeat was a missed opportunity to climb higher in the standings, as they look to secure a European spot for next season.
As the La Liga season progresses, Barcelona's dominance and the fierce competition for European places will continue to shape the narrative. Lewandowski’s hat-trick and Gazzaniga’s penalty-saving heroics serve as reminders of the individual brilliance that can turn matches in an instant, providing fans with the thrilling spectacle that only football can deliver. With key fixtures still to come, the battle for the top of La Liga and European qualification remains wide open, promising plenty of drama in the weeks ahead.
Updated: 07:26, 6 Oct 2024
