Robert Lewandowski scored twice as leaders Barcelona received 4-0 at backside facet Elche on Saturday to go provisionally 15 factors away from second-placed Real Madrid on the prime of LaLiga.
Robert Lewandowski (C) celebrates with Gavi (L) and Jules Kounde scoring his group’s third purpose(AFP)
While the Catalan facet took one other step in direction of their twenty seventh LaLiga title, Real will search for a win in opposition to Valladolid on Sunday to maintain their slim hopes alive.
LaLiga prime scorer Lewandowski acquired again on purpose path after three goalless league video games, opening the scoring within the twentieth minute with a close-range end after Ronald Araujo headed the ball all the way down to him in entrance of purpose.
Ansu Fati doubled the lead within the fifty fifth minute after selecting up a Ferran Torres cross in his personal half and breaking ahead in direction of the sting of the field earlier than firing low into the far nook to attain within the league for the primary time since October.
Barcelona’s trademark excessive urgent paid off within the sixty fifth minute when Gavi stole the ball off the Elche defence to arrange Lewandowski within the field, who had no hassle scoring his second of the night time and seventeenth league purpose of the season.
Torres acquired on the scoresheet within the Seventieth-minute, slotting his shot into the left nook for his third league purpose of the marketing campaign in a sport the place the remainder of the squad stepped up within the absence of key gamers corresponding to Ousmane Dembele, Pedri, Raphinha and Frenkie De Jong.
“It has been perfect: two from Robert, one from Ferran and one from Ansu. A great night for the forwards and players who needed and gained a lot of confidence,” Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez instructed reporters.
“We showed that we are a unit, and no matter who plays, everyone delivers.”
Barcelona will face bitter rivals Real Madrid for the fourth time in 2023 on Wednesday within the second leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final, the place they maintain a 1-0 lead.
Elche are on the point of relegation with 13 factors from 27 video games, 14 factors adrift of the security zone.
This story has been printed from a wire company feed with out modifications to the textual content.
Source: www.hindustantimes.com
