Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski, left, prepares to shoots previous Celta’s Carl Starfelt throughout a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Celta on the Olympic Stadium of Montjuic in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023. Credit score: AP/Joan Monfort
Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski scores his aspect’s first objective throughout a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Celta on the Olympic Stadium of Montjuic in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023. Credit score: AP/Joan Monfort
Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski, proper, flies by way of the air after a contact with Celta’s Carl Starfelt, left, whereas capturing on objective throughout a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Celta on the Olympic Stadium of Montjuic in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023. Credit score: AP/Joan Monfort
BARCELONA, Spain — Robert Lewandowski scored two late targets earlier than João Cancelo snatched the 89th-minute winner to guide Barcelona to a 3-2 comeback win over Celta Vigo at dwelling within the Spanish league on Saturday.
Rafa Benítez was eying his first massive win since returning to teaching in Spain together with his workforce forward 2-0 earlier than Lewandowski struck within the 81st minute. Cancelo then arrange Lewandowski to equalize within the eighty fifth earlier than the Portugal proper again accomplished the turnaround.
“It was a terrific fightback,” stated Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández, who signed a contract extension by way of 2025 on Friday. “It’s true we have been disorganized at instances and didn’t make the ball movement like in different video games, however the workforce received in religion and braveness.”
Barcelona is tied on factors with the stunning Girona on the prime of the desk after its fellow Catalan membership routed Mallorca 5-3. Actual Madrid is one level behind each earlier than visiting Atletico Madrid on Sunday.
Jorgen Strand Larsen put Celta forward within the nineteenth and substitute Anastasios Douvikas made it 2-0 within the 76th whereas its five-man protection held the defending champions in test — till the ultimate minutes.
Cancelo joined Barcelona on the ultimate day of the switch window on mortgage from Manchester Metropolis. He has made an instantaneous impression by giving Barcelona a flexible proper again, and it was by no means extra evident than when he joined in a last-gasp push in opposition to Celta.
After Lewandowski had given Barcelona hope by scooping a shot over goalkeeper Ivan Villar, Cancelo acted as a midfielder to offer an help for the Poland striker to make it 2-2. His subsequent transfer was to make a run by way of the guts of the protection the place he met a lobbed cross by Gavi Páez and guided it dwelling.
Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski scores his aspect’s first objective throughout a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Celta on the Olympic Stadium of Montjuic in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023. Credit score: AP/Joan Monfort
Cancelo stated he was relieved to have helped his new workforce after having had what he referred to as a poor efficiency after turning the ball over a number of instances.
“I made many errors, however you simply must hold targeted and play till the tip,” Cancelo stated. “We didn’t play effectively and Celta did effectively defending its space. However it’s at all times higher to play poorly and win, than to play effectively and lose.”
João Félix arrange Lewandowski’s first objective, including to his three targets already since he additionally arrived on mortgage simply earlier than the market closed.
It was a bitter loss for Benítez, who took over Celta this summer time for his first job in Spain since his short-lived stint with Actual Madrid in 2015. Celta has just one win in six video games underneath the coach that led Valencia to league titles again in 2002 and 2004.
Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski, proper, flies by way of the air after a contact with Celta’s Carl Starfelt, left, whereas capturing on objective throughout a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Celta on the Olympic Stadium of Montjuic in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023. Credit score: AP/Joan Monfort
“I feel we performed effectively for a lot of the sport, however in that remaining stretch I’ve the sensation their final two targets have been preventable,” Benítez stated. “Tiredness may have performed an element, however these targets could be stopped if you’re effectively positioned. I hope this helps us develop as a result of for 80 minutes we have been excellent.”
Barcelona misplaced midfielder Frenkie de Jong close to the tip of the primary half. Gavi changed him. Xavi stated that De Jong would endure assessments to find out the character of the damage.
GIRONA GROWS
The undefeated Girona is the revelation of the season to date. The modest workforce from Spain’s northeastern Catalonia area that’s partially owned by Manchester Metropolis’s Abu Dhabi possession has received 5 straight video games after drawing its opener.
After beating Granada 4-2 final spherical, it has now scored 9 targets in its previous two video games.
“(Being on the prime of the standings) is anecdotal, we’re completely satisfied for the victory. Profitable 5 in a row within the first division will not be at straightforward process,” coach Míchel Sánchez stated. “Much more necessary than the outcomes is the feeling we’ve, figuring out that we’re competing effectively and have a transparent thought of how we need to play.”
Mallorca went forward early by way of a fourth-minute penalty transformed by Vedat Muriqi. However Girona roared again with targets by David López, Artem Dovbyk, Iván Martín, Yangel Herrera and Sávio earlier than substitute Ábdon Prats lowered the deficit for Mallorca with a late brace.
Additionally, Almeria’s Sergio Arribas scored twice in a 2-2 draw with Valencia, whereas Sevilla drew 0-0 at Osasuna.
