Robert Lewandowski scored his first hat-trick of the season
Barcelona cruised to victory thanks to Robert Lewandowski’s second-half hat-trick after Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili was sent off.
The hosts, who are on the cusp of relinquishing the La Liga title to Real Madrid despite the victory, took the lead when Fermin Lopez struck.
Hudo Duro soon levelled then Pepelu’s penalty gave Valencia the lead.
But they had Mamardashvili sent off just before half-time and the 35-year-old Poland striker took full advantage.
Lewandowski equalised early in the second half with a header then nodded in a rebound before getting his third from a free-kick in added time.
Barcelona remain second in La Liga, 11 points behind Real Madrid with five games remaining.
Valencia stay eighth and face a battle to qualify for Europe next season as they lie four points behind sixth-place Real Sociedad.
Line-ups
Barcelona
Formation 4-3-3
1ter Stegen
23Koundé4Araujo33Cubarsí2Cancelo
22 Gündogan 15 Christensen 16 López
27Yamal9Lewandowski11Raphinha
1ter Stegen23Koundé4Araujo33CubarsíBooked at 42minsSubstituted forMartínezat 45’minutes2CanceloSubstituted forF Torresat 80’minutes22Gündogan15ChristensenSubstituted forRobertoat 45’minutes16LópezSubstituted forPedriat 73’minutes27Yamal9Lewandowski11Raphin haSubstituted forJoão Félixat 66’minutesSubstitutes5Martínez7F Torres8Pedri13Peña Sotorres14João Félix17Alonso18Romeu19Roque Ferreira20Roberto30Casadó31Kochen39Fort
Valencia
Formation 4-4-2
25Mamardashvili
12Rendall Correia3Mosquera34Gasiorowski21Vázquez
11 González 8 Guerra 18 García Vayá 16 López
10Ribeiro Almeida9Duro
25MamardashviliBooked at 45mins12Rendall Correia3Mosquera34Gasiorowski21Vázquez11GonzálezSubstituted forÖzkacarat 79’minutes8GuerraSubstituted forGuillamónat 71’minutes18García Vayá16LópezSubstituted forCanósat 79’minutes10Ribeiro d forDomènechat 45+6’minutes9DuroSubstituted forMaríat 70’minutesSubstitutes1Domènech6Guillamón7Canós13Rivero15Özkacar19Amallah22Marí31Iranzo47Otorbi
Referee: Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea
Attendance:30,167
Live Text
Match ends, Barcelona 4, Valencia 2.
Second Half ends, Barcelona 4, Valencia 2.
Goal! Barcelona 4, Valencia 2. Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona) from a free kick with a right footed shot to the top left corner.
Ferran Torres (Barcelona) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Thierry Correia (Valencia).
Attempt blocked. Ferran Torres (Barcelona) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Ronald Araujo with a headed pass.
Corner, Barcelona. Conceded by Cenk Ozkacar.
Foul by João Félix (Barcelona).
Hugo Guillamón (Valencia) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt blocked. João Félix (Barcelona) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Attempt saved. Ronald Araujo (Barcelona) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Ilkay Gündogan with a cross.
Corner, Barcelona. Conceded by Thierry Correia.
Attempt blocked. Ferran Torres (Barcelona) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by João Félix.
Goal! Barcelona 3, Valencia 2. Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona) header from very close range to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Ronald Araujo following a corner.
Attempt saved. Ronald Araujo (Barcelona) header from very close range is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Ilkay Gündogan with a cross.
Corner, Barcelona. Conceded by Hugo Guillamón.
Substitution, Barcelona. Ferran Torres replaces João Cancelo.
Attempt missed. Jules Koundé (Barcelona) right footed shot from the right side of the box is too high. Assisted by Lamine Yamal.
Substitution, Valencia. Cenk Özkacar replaces Peter González.
Replacement, Valencia. Sergi Canós replaces Diego López.
2024-04-29 21:28:36
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