Barcelona continued their impressive unbeaten streak, now reaching 20 games, with a decisive 4-1 win against Girona on Sunday. Robert Lewandowski played a starring role, scoring two goals and ensuring Barcelona remained at the top of the La Liga standings for another week.
Girona proved to be a resilient opponent initially, but Barcelona`s persistence paid off just before halftime. An own goal by Ladislav Krejci in the 43rd minute gave Barcelona the lead. Early in the second half, Arnaut Danjuma equalized for Girona in the 53rd minute, briefly raising hopes for the visitors. However, Barcelona quickly responded, extinguishing any chance of a Girona comeback. Lewandowski swiftly restored Barcelona`s lead, scoring just eight minutes after Girona`s goal, and then extended it further with another goal in the 77th minute. Ferran Torres capped off the victory, scoring his second goal in three days to finalize the scoreline.
Key Moment of the Match
Despite Girona briefly leveling the score, Barcelona maintained control throughout the match. Lewandowski`s second goal effectively reflected Barcelona`s dominance. The play began with Frenkie de Jong, who made a significant impact as a substitute, winning possession deep in Barcelona`s territory and driving the ball forward. He then delivered a pass to Lewandowski, who had made a run into the penalty area. Controlling the ball swiftly, Lewandowski unleashed a powerful shot from a difficult angle, finding the back of the net.
Player of the Match
Robert Lewandowski delivered a highly impactful performance on Sunday. His two goals were just part of his contribution. He registered six shots, with four hitting the target, and his individual expected goals (xG) of 1.1 contributed significantly to Barcelona`s total xG of 2.6. This performance highlighted Lewandowski`s improved form this season under coach Hansi Flick, his former coach at Bayern Munich.
Implications for La Liga Standings
This victory ensures Barcelona remain at the summit of La Liga for another week, maintaining a three-point advantage over Real Madrid, who are in second place. They also hold a substantial nine-point lead over Atletico Madrid, who have fallen behind in the title race after a 1-1 draw against Espanyol on Sunday.
Looking Ahead
Barcelona`s next challenge is against Atletico Madrid in the second leg of the Copa del Rey semifinals on Wednesday. They will be aiming to secure a place in the final after a thrilling 4-4 draw in the first leg in February. In La Liga, they will face Real Betis on Saturday before resuming their UEFA Champions League campaign the following week with the first leg of their quarterfinal match against Borussia Dortmund.
