Robert Lewandowski delivered a masterclass with a stunning hat-trick that kept Barcelona within three points of league leaders Real Madrid. The Polish forward opened the scoring in the ninth minute after a penalty awarded for Marcos Alonso’s handball on Fermin Lopez’s shot.
Celta strike back fast
Celta Vigo responded immediately. Just 22 seconds after Marcus Rashford’s missed one-on-one, Sergio Carreira finished off a lightning counter-attack to level the score. Rashford made amends in the 36th minute when his precise cross found Lewandowski, who volleyed in to restore Barcelona’s lead.
First-half drama continues
Celta refused to give up. Borja Iglesias curled a brilliant shot into the top corner from the edge of the box, equalising again in a thrilling first half. Yet Barcelona hit back before the break. Teenager Lamine Yamal reacted quickly to a deflected Rashford cross and fired home at the back post in first-half stoppage time.
Lewandowski completes his treble
Barcelona controlled the second half, and Lewandowski sealed his hat-trick in the 73rd minute. He met Rashford’s corner at the near post with a powerful header to make it 4-2. The 37-year-old now boasts three La Liga hat-tricks, adding to his 16 in the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.
Late drama and title race tension
Barcelona faced late pressure after Frenkie de Jong was sent off for a second yellow card in stoppage time after tripping Iago Aspas. Despite finishing with ten men, they held firm to secure the win. The victory allowed Barcelona to close the gap on Real Madrid, who had dropped points earlier that day in a dull draw against city rivals Rayo Vallecano.
