Robert Lewandowski was the star of the show for Barcelona on Monday night in La Liga as he scored a hat-trick in a comeback 4-2 win against Valencia.
The Blaugrana were down 2-1 at halftime but Giorgi Mamardashvili’s sending off just before the break meant Barca had the advantage in the second half.
The Catalan giants capitalised thanks Lewandowski’s headers in the 49th minute and 82nd minute before putting the game beyond doubt in added time with a well-taken free kick.
Lewandowski’s two headed goals means he is the first Barcelona player to do so in a La Liga match since Cameroon legend Samuel Eto’o did against Mallorca in September 2005. The Polish striker is also the oldest player to achieve that feat at 35 years 252 days.
2 – Robert Lewandowski became the first Barcelona striker since Samuel Eto'o against Mallorca in September 2005 to score two headed goals in a LaLiga match, and the oldest player to do so of any team in the 21st century (35 years and 252 days). Instinct. pic.twitter.com/AW1YXWCirC
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) April 29, 2024
Eto’o enjoyed five years of success with Barcelona, scoring 130 goals, providing 40 assists in 199 appearances, winning eight titles.
Lewandowski’s hat-trick took him to 16 La Liga goals for the season, one behind Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham and three behind leading scorer Artem Dovbyk of Girona.
Barcelona’s victory took them back into second place, overtaking Girona, and are 11 points behind Real Madrid with five matches left to play.
