Sports

Lewandowski shines in Barcelona win over Atletico

Sports Desk, Mar 18 (EFE).- Robert Lewandowski starred with a goal and two assists as Barcelona ended Atletico Madrid’s unbeaten run at home this season with a 3-0 win to go second in the Spanish LaLiga on Sunday.

The three points mean Barcelona go above Girona, who lost to Getafe on Saturday, in the table with 64 points and cut the gap with leaders Real Madrid to eight points, keeping their hopes of retaining the title alive.

Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez was forced to watch the better part of the game from the stand after he was shown a red card for protesting against the referee’s decisions before the first 45 minutes were up.

Barca were already a goal up after a spell of sustained pressure from Atletico, who were unable to take their early chances and paid dearly, with Joao Felix providing Barcelona the lead in 38 minutes.

Following a few quick passes into the box, Lewandowski slipped one to Felix, who made no mistake in firing the ball into the net.

Barcelona doubled their lead quickly after the start of the second half as Rodrigo De Paul gave away the ball deep inside his own half to allow Raphinha to set up for Lewandowski, who poked the ball home.

Ter Stegen made two incredible saves in quick succession to deny Atletico a chance to come back before Fermin Lopez rounded off the contest with a header from a Lewandowski cross.

“This is the time to dream. We are in our best form of the season. This is our Barca DNA at its best,” Xavi said after the match.

“Unfortunately, it hasn’t come off in every game, but some work out brilliant like this one, and when it clicks, it’s all very enjoyable.”

Atletico were down to 10 men in injury time of the second half as Nahuel Molina was shown a red card for bringing down substitute Vitor Roque when the Brazilian was through on goal. EFE

am/pd

Related Articles

Back to top button