Barcelona fans witnessed a masterclass performance in a thrilling Catalan derby as they thumped Girona 4-1 on Sunday. Veteran forward Robert Lewandowski starred with two superb goals, lifting the side to a three-point lead in La Liga.
The 36-year-old striker, who now boasts 25 league goals, defied doubts about his age. "I know a lot of people talk about my age, but I work as hard as I did when I was 21," Lewandowski said with a smile. His performance left no question about his enduring quality on the field.
Barcelona dominated early as Fermin Lopez and Lewandowski tested Girona’s keeper Paulo Gazzaniga with early shots. A controversial free kick decision, reviewed by VAR, awarded a free kick to Girona after an incident near the edge of the box, adding an unexpected twist to the match.
Despite a disallowed goal for Jules Kounde and a resilient performance from Gazzaniga – who made four crucial saves in the first half – Barcelona maintained the pressure. An own goal by Girona defender Ladislav Krejci, deflected from a free kick by Lamine Yamal, gave Barça an early edge just before halftime.
After the break, Girona briefly pulled level when Dutch forward Arnaut Danjuma found the back of the net. However, Barcelona responded decisively. Lewandowski restored the lead with a stunning acrobatic finish, assisted by Frenkie de Jong, and later doubled the advantage on a swift counterattack.
Substitute Ferran Torres later sealed the win with a brilliant touch that sent the ball into the bottom corner. Although Yamal's curling effort in the closing stages nearly slotted in a fifth goal, the crossbar kept the final score at 4-1.
With this victory, Barcelona moved to 66 points from 29 games, tightening the race at the top of La Liga. The match showcased tactical brilliance and reaffirms the spirit of determination and excellence in one of Europe’s most competitive leagues.
Reference(s):
Lewandowski strikes twice as Barca top 4-1 Girona to take La Liga lead
cgtn.com
