Lewandowski hat trick gives Barcelona comeback victory over Valencia
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Barcelona survived a tricky first half to beat Valencia 4-2 with the help of a second half hat trick from Robert Lewandowski and a red card to Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili on Monday.
On a rainy night in Catalonia, the home side dominated possession but was behind at the break due to two defensive errors.
Fermín López put Barcelona ahead with a lovely glancing header midway through the first half.
Valencia levelled just five minutes later thanks to a woeful intervention from keeper Marc Ter Stegen. He intercepted a long ball 25 yards from his goal but he tried to be too fancy and Hugo Duro easily dispossessed him and ran the ball into the empty net.
Before halftime, Valencia took the lead thanks to another elementary mistake. Ronald Araújo’s mistimed tackle felled Peter Federico in the box and Pepelu coolly converted the spot kick.
Related articles
In Paris, students inspired by pro
PARIS (AP) — Dozens of students gathered near the Sorbonne university in Paris on Monday to protest2024-04-30Princess of Wales: Agencies recall first image of Kate since surgery
The offending photo. Photo: Kensington Palace / via X2024-04-30Government sets nine targets in health, crime, social support, education, climate
Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver2024-04-30West Coast ratepayers must decide: 27% rates hike, or 44%?
The West Coast Regional Council headquarters at Pāroa, Greymouth. Photo: Greymouth Star / Supplied2024-04-30Mel Gibson sports an arm sling following shoulder injury as he attends a coffee meeting in Malibu
Mel Gibson has been nursing a shoulder injury of late and was out and about on Sunday wearing a slin2024-04-30Small earthquake felt in Wellington region
Photo: 123RF2024-04-30
atest comment