Barcelona continued their impressive unbeaten streak, reaching 20 games, by defeating Girona 4-1 on Sunday. Robert Lewandowski was the star of the match, scoring two goals and helping Barcelona maintain their lead at the top of La Liga.
Girona initially proved difficult to break down, but Barcelona`s persistence paid off just before halftime. An own goal in the 43rd minute gave Barcelona the lead. Girona quickly responded in the second half, equalizing in the 53rd minute with a goal from Arnaut Danjuma. However, Barcelona quickly regained control. Lewandowski scored his first goal of the match just minutes later, followed by a second goal in the 77th minute. Ferran Torres sealed the victory with another goal, securing a comfortable win for Barcelona.
Key Moment of the Game
Even when the score was tied, Barcelona dominated the match. Lewandowski`s second goal highlighted this dominance and reflected Barcelona`s overall performance. The play began with Frenkie de Jong, who made a significant impact after coming off the bench. De Jong won the ball deep in Barcelona`s own half and then drove forward, carrying the ball all the way to Girona`s end of the pitch. He then passed to Lewandowski, who had made a run into the penalty area. Lewandowski controlled the ball quickly and powerfully shot it into the net from a difficult angle.
Player of the Match
Robert Lewandowski delivered a highly effective performance on Sunday. His two goals were just part of his contribution. He had six shots in total, with four hitting the target, and his individual expected goals (xG) were 1.1 out of Barcelona`s total of 2.6. This performance reflects Lewandowski`s strong form this season under coach Hansi Flick.
Significance of the Result for Barcelona
This victory ensures Barcelona remains at the top of La Liga for another week, maintaining a three-point lead over Real Madrid in second place. They also have a significant nine-point advantage over Atletico Madrid, who have fallen further behind in the title race after a 1-1 draw with Espanyol on Sunday.
What`s Next for Barcelona
Barcelona`s next challenge is against Atletico Madrid in the second leg of the Copa del Rey semifinals on Wednesday. They will be looking to gain an advantage after a thrilling 4-4 draw in the first leg. In La Liga, they will face Real Betis on Saturday, and the following week they return to the UEFA Champions League for the first leg of their quarterfinal match against Borussia Dortmund.
