Lewandowski Marks Return with Hat-Trick as Barcelona Close Gap on Real Madrid

Key Takeaways:

• Robert Lewandowski netted a hat trick as Barcelona triumphed 4-2 over Celta Vigo
• The victory enabled Barcelona to reduce the gap to Real Madrid at the top of the table to three points
• Frenkie de Jong received a second yellow card and was dismissed in stoppage time

Match Overview: Barcelona Capitalise on Rivals’ Slip

Returning as a starter for the first time in over a month following injury, Robert Lewandowski delivered an emphatic performance for Barcelona, scoring three times to help his side secure a 4-2 victory away at Celta Vigo. By taking all three points at Balaídos, the Catalan giants took full advantage of a Real Madrid stumble, narrowing the deficit at the summit to only three points.

WIN 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Or6XLorCg9

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) November 9, 2025

First-Half Spectacle: Goals and Momentum Shifts

The opening 45 minutes featured an electric tempo and featured five goals. Lewandowski converted a penalty to open the scoring before Sergio Carreira equalised just seconds after play resumed. Barcelona regained the lead in the 37th minute via Lewandowski again, but Borja Iglesias restored parity with a fine strike. In first-half injury time, Lamine Yamal gave Barcelona a 3-2 advantage, turning in a loose ball following a deflection from Moriba.

Match Flow and Key Moments

Both sides pressed high from the outset, seeking to force errors and create scoring opportunities. Early on, Rashford saw his free-kick strike the wall, followed by an on-target attempt from Lewandowski that failed to trouble the Celta goalkeeper. Celta responded swiftly as Pablo Durán broke free, attempted to chip Szczesny, only for Balde to clear off the line – with the move ultimately ruled offside.

Barcelona were awarded a penalty after Marcos Alonso handled in the area, a decision confirmed after a VAR review, and Lewandowski calmly dispatched the spot kick. Shortly after, Rashford nearly increased the lead but was denied by a superb save from Radu. In the immediate counter, Carreira broke the defensive line to draw Celta level.

Clear chances came in succession: a Barcelona error let Jutglà in, though he could not convert, while Borja Iglesias tested Szczesny from nearly 40 metres, forcing a solid save from the Polish keeper. In the 25th minute, an Alonso mistake set up Yamal to intercept, leading to a sequence where Fermín’s shot was blocked, Rashford struck the post, and Radu saved from Lewandowski.

Olmo later delivered an excellent cross for Fermín, whose volley missed the target. The second Barcelona goal arrived as Rashford’s pinpoint delivery found Lewandowski, who finished between the goalkeeper’s legs. However, Borja Iglesias equalised again in the 43rd minute with a clinical effort from outside the box.

Barcelona responded to the setback with a flurry of late-half attacks, forcing Radu into action from Olmo’s shot. Their pressure told in added time as Rashford’s run and cross ultimately found Yamal, who drilled home from a sharp angle.

Second Half: Lewandowski Completes the Treble, De Jong Sent Off

After the interval, Barcelona dominated possession and territory, forcing Celta back but failing to carve clear openings for much of the half. The breakthrough came in the 74th minute: Lewandowski completed his hat trick with a well-directed header from a corner.

With a two-goal cushion, Barcelona eased off, inviting Celta forward, though the hosts struggled to threaten meaningfully. Yamal struck the post late on after being played in behind, and in the dying moments, Frenkie de Jong was shown a second yellow card and dismissed, leaving manager Hansi Flick visibly frustrated on the touchline.