Barcelona beat Celta Vigo 4-2 as Lewandowski hits a hat trick and Yamal scores, cutting the gap to Real Madrid to three points after Madrid draw with Rayo.
Barcelona won 4-2 away at Celta Vigo on Sunday in the 12th round of the Spanish league, cutting the gap to leaders Real Madrid to three points after Madrid drew with Rayo Vallecano.
The match in Vigo delivered one of Barcelona’s most eventful and high intensity performances of the season. Despite the final scoreline suggesting superiority, the Catalan side had to work hard to overcome a Celta team that has been in excellent form, having arrived in the match on the back of five consecutive victories in all competitions. Barcelona’s attacking efficiency, led by Robert Lewandowski and the increasingly influential Lamine Yamal, ultimately made the difference.
Lewandowski, who had not started a match since the heavy 4-1 defeat to Sevilla on October 5, offered a reminder of his elite finishing ability by scoring a hat trick. His movement, timing, and precision inside the penalty area gave Celta’s defense constant problems. His goals were a mix of instinct, experience, and positioning, illustrating why the Polish striker remains one of the most reliable finishers in European football even at this stage of his career.
Lamine Yamal added the fourth goal for Barcelona and once again showcased why he is considered one of the brightest young talents in world football. His ability to manipulate tight spaces, accelerate past defenders, and read attacking movements continues to be a vital component of Barcelona’s offensive structure. His goal just before halftime came at a crucial moment, breaking a 2-2 deadlock and shifting the game’s momentum back toward Barça.
While Barcelona were dangerous in attack, the match highlighted ongoing defensive vulnerabilities. Celta Vigo managed to score twice, first through Sergio Carreira and then via Borja Iglesias, capitalizing on moments of disorganization in Barcelona’s back line. The equalizer from Iglesias in particular exposed issues in defensive transitions that coach Hansi Flick will need to address as the season progresses. Celta’s intensity and ability to press high caused intermittent discomfort for the visitors, and until Yamal’s late first half strike, the match remained wide open.
In the second half, Barcelona controlled the tempo more effectively, moving the ball with greater security and limiting Celta’s attacking transitions. Lewandowski continued to threaten with his off the ball runs, and Barcelona used longer spells of possession to gradually reduce the risk of counterattacks. The victory takes Barça to 28 points, consolidating their second place position and keeping them firmly in the title race as they reduce Real Madrid’s lead to three points. Villarreal sit third on 26 points and Atlético Madrid follow in fourth with 25, setting up a tightly contested top four heading into the next round.
Real Madrid’s unexpected slip at home against Rayo Vallecano provided Barcelona with the chance to close the gap. Madrid were again frustrated by inefficiency in attack, particularly from Kylian Mbappé, who has now gone several matches without finding his optimal form. The French forward struggled in the final third, mirroring his difficulties from the midweek Champions League defeat to Liverpool. Coach Xabi Alonso must now also contend with an injury to Federico Valverde, who felt pain in the back of his left thigh, raising concerns over his availability for upcoming fixtures.
Elsewhere in LaLiga, Athletic Bilbao claimed a 1-0 home win over Oviedo thanks to a commanding defensive performance from Aymeric Laporte and a decisive goal from Nico Williams, scored in the 25th minute. The result lifts Athletic into seventh place with 17 points, keeping them in contention for European qualification.
Valencia’s struggles continued after a 1-1 draw at home against Betis. With Portuguese players Thierry Correia and André Almeida both starting, Valencia showed flashes of quality but could not convert enough chances. Betis took the lead through Cucho Hernández in the 74th minute, but Luís Rioja equalized eight minutes later. Betis remain fifth in the standings with 20 points, while Valencia sit in a precarious 17th position with 10 points, still the first side above the relegation line and now seven league matches without a win.
Mallorca secured a much needed 1-0 victory at home over Getafe. With Portuguese midfielder Samu Costa in the starting lineup, Mallorca struck early through Vedat Muriqi in the 14th minute. The result helped the island club rise to 15th place with 12 points, giving them breathing room in the relegation battle. Getafe, featuring Portuguese defender Domingos Duarte, dropped from seventh to eighth, remaining on 17 points and now trailing Espanyol by one.
Overall, the weekend reshaped the top of the table. Barcelona gained ground, Real Madrid stumbled, and several mid table battles intensified. As the league enters its next phase, the margin for error continues to narrow for the leading clubs, making every match increasingly significant in the fight for the title, European spots, and survival.
