Robert Lewandowski scored his first competitive goals for FC Barcelona on his 34th birthday as Xavi’s team won at Real Sociedad to record their first La Liga victrory of the season.
Robert Lewandowski brace for Barcelona helped them to a 4-1 win in the Basque Country over a Real Sociedad side who gave a good account of themselves for most of the game.
There were competitive moments for the first hour. And that was despite taking the lead after just 44 seconds. But it all came good in the end, and FC Barcelona ended up earning their first victory of the 2022/23 league season at the Reale Arena.
Real Sociedad quickly equalised looked the more likely side to score again before new verve, to a large extent inspired by the introduction of Ansu Fati to the proceedings, saw Barca score three goals in quick succession to control the game.In so doing, Barca completed a run of three consecutive victories in San Sebastian.
The opening goal was Robert Lewandowski’s first competitive one for FC Barcelona. Pedri opened up a rapid counter attack, Alejandro Balde powered through acres of space and picked out the Polish striker in the killer zone. The latter tucked the ball where it needed to be.
LEWANDOWSKI FIRST GOAL FOR BARCELONA! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/0vHkqc8WYz
— ESPN (@espn) August 21, 2022
The birthday-boy’s naturally composed finish made him the second oldest player to score his maiden goal for Barca. Only Hilario, in the 1939-40 season, was older.
That initial joy was brief for Barca .Just five minutes later, Alexander Isak robbed Frenkie de Jong in midfield, and then rode Eric Garcia’s sliding tackle as he lobbed Ter Stegen to level the scoring.
ISAK CHIPS TER STEGEN 😱 pic.twitter.com/QDEU5RUH0v
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) August 21, 2022
In an entertaining, physical game, both sides had chances to get ahead before half-time. It was Real who came closest when David Silva looked to have scored. Ter Stegen produced a simply stunning reflex save to keep that one out, having also denied a fine chance for Take earlier on.
Sensational save by Ter Stegen 🧤 pic.twitter.com/TuCoYl6qXA
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) August 21, 2022
There was a worryingly long period of Real pressure after the break too, which included a Brais Mendez free kick ending up in the net. There was a big let-off for Barca when that one was scrubbed for offside.
Xavi’s side needed to find something. And on came Ansu Fati to provide it. Moments after he’d been sent on, the youngster was brilliantly back-heeling to the advancing Ousmane Dembele, and the Frenchman blasted home from an angle.
ANSU FATI WITH THE BEAUTIFUL ASSIST FOR DEMBELE 😲 pic.twitter.com/VD5hrgcous
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) August 21, 2022
Real Sociedead had looked in control of the game.But moments after re-taking the lead, Barca doubled it, and courtesy goes to another Ansu assist.
A trademark Barca passing move was culminated by the ball being handed on a plate to Lewandowski. The star summer signing rarely lets opportunities like that go to waste. This one was no exception. His second goal of the night and suddenly Barca were in a comfortable 3-1 lead.
Back-to-back beautiful assists from Fati 🎯
Lewy with the double! pic.twitter.com/1CIFSFfg7Q
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) August 21, 2022
And that wasn’t the end of it from Ansu Fati. There was a mixture of brilliance and fortune in the way Lewandowski got the ball to him, but once he had it, the 19-year-old made no mistake.
Ansu Fati with a goal and two assists off the bench 🔥 pic.twitter.com/3qWUmEijGm
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) August 21, 2022
For Barcelona, meanwhile, this victory will feel like a statement and a very welcome confidence boost after the opening day draw against Rayo Vallecano at Camp Nou. The performance may still need working on, but the four-goal feelgood factor will go a long way to soothing the concerns.
Barca are fifth in La Liga and play Manchester City in a friendly on Wednesday, with their next competitive game against Valladolid at the Nou Camp on Sunday.
After the match FC Barcelona coach Xavi said,“The forwards played really well. We had to be very brave to win the first match of the season.”
🗣 Xavi:
❝The forwards played really well. We had to be very brave to win the first match of the season❞ pic.twitter.com/6o2hl1omrO
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) August 21, 2022
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