Barcelona reclaimed their three-point lead at the top of La Liga with a convincing 3-0 victory over Alaves, quickly responding to Real Madrid’s earlier win over Villarreal.
The Catalan giants put on a strong display at Camp Nou, with Robert Lewandowski delivering a stellar performance, netting a first-half hat-trick to secure the win for his side.
The win saw Barcelona maintain their lead in the title race, sending a clear message to their rivals ahead of the highly anticipated El Clasico.
Lewandowski took center stage, scoring his 10th, 11th, and 12th goals of the season with clinical finishing.
The Polish striker opened the scoring early in the match, finding the net just seven minutes into the game after an excellent cross from Raphinha.
Fifteen minutes later, Lewandowski doubled Barcelona’s advantage, once again converting a superb assist from Raphinha.
He completed his hat-trick in style before halftime, finishing off a clever play from Eric Garcia, which left the Alaves defense scrambling.
With their three goals safely in hand, Barcelona comfortably managed the rest of the game, demonstrating their dominance throughout the match.
The midfield, led by Frenkie de Jong, controlled the tempo, while the defense, marshaled by Jules Kounde and Inigo Martinez, kept Alaves’ attacking threats at bay.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen had little to do in goal, with Alaves struggling to break through Barcelona’s defense.
Barcelona's win not only keeps them at the top of the table but also builds momentum heading into their next crucial matches, especially the upcoming showdown with Real Madrid.
Manager Xavi Hernandez praised his team’s performance, particularly Lewandowski, whose sharpness in front of goal proved decisive.
The Polish forward’s tally now stands at 12 goals for the season, putting him firmly in contention for the league's top scorer award.
Barcelona’s dominant performance is a testament to their strength and consistency this season as they aim to defend their La Liga title.
As the El Clasico approaches, Barcelona’s fans will be hoping for more of the same from Lewandowski and his teammates, who are riding high after this emphatic win over Alaves.
