Barcelona defeated Real Sociedad 2-1 at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys to maintain their push for the La Liga title.
Alvaro Odriozola gave Sociedad the lead in the first half, but goals from Jules Kounde and Robert Lewandowski turned the match in favour of the home side.
Sociedad strike first
Despite Barcelona dominating possession early, the visitors went ahead when Ander Barrenetxea’s cross was converted by Odriozola with an outstretched foot.
Barcelona responded just before halftime through Jules Kounde, who scored with a header from Marcus Rashford’s corner.
Lewandowski secures win
The decisive moment came in the 60th minute when substitute Lamine Yamal created space to set up Lewandowski, who finished to make it 2-1.
The result means Barcelona remain in contention at the top of La Liga and could return to first place depending on other results.
Barcelona returned from the international break in style with a 6-0 demolition of Valencia in La Liga on Sunday, delivering a statement performance under Hansi Flick at the Estadi Johan Cruyff.
Forced to continue away from the Camp Nou due to ongoing renovation delays, the Catalan giants showed no signs of discomfort as they overwhelmed Los Che with a dominant second-half display.
Lopez sets the tone
Fermin Lopez gave Barça the perfect start, finding the net in the opening period to settle any early nerves.
The midfielder’s energy in attack proved crucial, with Flick’s side dictating the game throughout the first half despite Valencia holding firm for long spells.
Second-half rout
After the break, Flick’s substitutions turned the contest into a rout.
Raphinha doubled the lead shortly after coming on, before Lopez struck again to make it 3-0. Valencia, unable to contain the waves of pressure, collapsed further as Raphinha added his second.
Robert Lewandowski, gradually working back to full fitness after injury setbacks, entered the fray late on and showed his clinical edge with a quick-fire brace that sealed the 6-0 result.
Champions League focus next
The emphatic win lifts Barcelona’s spirits after a frustrating 1-1 draw with Rayo Vallecano prior to the international break and keeps the pressure on leaders Real Madrid, who have won all four of their opening matches.
Attention now shifts to Europe, with Barça set to open their Champions League campaign away at Newcastle United on September 18.
Meanwhile, club officials remain hopeful of completing their Camp Nou return in time to host Getafe on September 21, though uncertainty lingers.
Robert Lewandowski scored a hat-trick in his first Champions League game for Barcelona, as Xavi Hernandez’s side defeated Viktoria Plzen 5-1 at the Camp Nou on Wednesday.
Barca, who failed to advance past the group stage last season, also had Franck Kessie and Ferran Torres score in an impressive performance.
Lewandowski has now scored eight goals in five appearances in all competitions for his new team.
“I knew it was going to be important to adapt right from the first game here,” he told uefa.com
“Today is my wife’s birthday, so the goals and the celebration were both for her.” It means a lot that she was in the stadium on her birthday. Something incredible for me.”
The five-time European champions will face more difficult tests in Group C, which also includes Bayern Munich and Inter Milan.
Following Bayern’s 2-0 win at the San Siro, the Catalan giants visit the Allianz Arena next Tuesday in a true test of how far they have come in the last year.
Kessie nodded the ball home in the 13th minute after Jules Kounde had headed Ousmane Dembele’s corner back across goal.
It was the Ivorian midfielder’s first goal for the club since joining from AC Milan during the summer transfer window.
Midway through the first half, Ansu Fati nearly doubled the lead, but his effort was saved by visiting goalkeeper Jindrich Stanek.
Plzen were awarded a penalty in the 25th minute after Andreas Christensen brought down Jhon Mosquera, but the referee reversed his decision after a VAR review and awarded Barca a free kick.
With his 87th goal in the Champions League and first for his new club, Lewandowski moved ahead of Karim Benzema into third place all-time.
In the 34th minute, the 34-year-old curled a low shot into the bottom corner from just inside the area. Jan Sykora headed in Vaclav Jemelka’s cross shortly before the break to give the Czechs a lifeline.
Plzen, on the other hand, couldn’t stay within a goal until halftime, when Lewandowski stooped unnoticed to head Dembele’s cross over the line.
In the 67th minute, Lewandowski completed his sixth Champions League hat-trick with a fine low strike from distance.
“I’m not sure if Robert is the best striker in Europe, but he’s the best for us,” Xavi said.
“He helps us play out, he presses, he brings us a lot of attack solutions.” Total maturity as a player, and absolutely stunning. He scored a hat-trick, but it was his teamwork that impressed me.”
Xavi’s men added a fifth goal soon after, with Torres drilling a brilliant volley on the turn into the top corner from Dembele’s chipped pass.
Plzen avoided further damage, but they face a difficult task in their remaining five group games, beginning with a home game against Inter.
Mohamed Salah, Cristiano Ronaldo and Kevin de Bruyne are among the 11 players that have been shortlisted for the Best FIFA Men’s Player of the year award. Also Chelsea duo Jorginho and N’Golo Kante complete the Premier League contingent on the list for the accolade, which will be awarded on January 17 next year.
fifa
Full list ; Lionel Messi,Cristiano Ronaldo,Mohammed Salah,Ngolo Kante,Kylian Mbappe,Jorginho,Kevin de Bruyne,Robert Lewandowski,Erling Haaland,Neymar,Karim Benzema.
jorginho
kevin de bruyne
Karim Benzema
Erling Halaand
ngolo Kante
mohammed Salah
robert lewandowski
lionel messi neymar mbappe
ronaldo
Best Coach ; Pep Guardiola, Thomas Tuchel,Antonio Conte,Roberto Mancini,Hans Fickl,Lionel Scaloni, Diego Simeone.
Best Goalkepper ; Alisson, Kasper Schmeichel,Edouard Mendy,Manuel Neuer,Gianluigi Donnarumma.
