Barcelona continued their impressive form on Sunday, securing a 4-1 victory against Girona and stretching their unbeaten streak to 20 games. Robert Lewandowski was the star of the show, scoring two goals and ensuring Barcelona remained at the top of the La Liga standings for another week.
Girona proved a tough opponent to break down initially, but Barcelona`s persistence paid off in the 43rd minute when they took the lead thanks to an own goal by Ladislav Krejci. Girona responded after halftime, equalizing in the 53rd minute with a goal from Arnaut Danjuma. However, Barcelona quickly regained control. Lewandowski struck just eight minutes after Girona`s goal, and then added another in the 77th minute. Ferran Torres capped off the scoring, netting his second goal in three days.
Key Moment
Even when the score was tied, Barcelona maintained control throughout the match. Lewandowski`s second goal effectively reflected Barcelona`s dominance. The play began with Frenkie de Jong, who made a significant impact as a substitute, winning the ball deep in Barcelona`s territory and driving forward. He then passed to Lewandowski, who had made a run into the box. Lewandowski controlled the ball and fired a powerful shot into the net from a difficult angle.
Player of the Match
Lewandowski`s performance on Sunday was outstanding. His two goals were just part of his contribution. He took six shots, with four hitting the target, and accounted for 1.1 of Barcelona`s total expected goals of 2.6. This display is typical of Lewandowski`s improved form this season under coach Hansi Flick, his former manager at Bayern Munich.
League Standings
This victory ensures Barcelona remain at the La Liga summit for another week, holding a three-point advantage over Real Madrid in second place. They are also nine points ahead of Atletico Madrid, who have fallen behind in the title race after a 1-1 draw against Espanyol on Sunday.
What`s Next
Barcelona`s next challenge is against Atletico Madrid in the second leg of the Copa del Rey semifinals on Wednesday. They will be aiming for a win after a thrilling 4-4 draw in the first leg in February. In La Liga, they will play Real Betis on Saturday, followed by a UEFA Champions League quarterfinal first leg against Borussia Dortmund the following week.
