Robert Lewandowski scored a clinical hat-trick as FC Barcelona overcame Celta Vigo 4-2 in a fiery La Liga encounter marked by controversial officiating.
According to reporting by Sempre Barca, FC Barcelona claimed a crucial 4-2 win over Celta Vigo at a historically difficult venue, securing all three points largely due to exceptional performances from their key attacking players.
Despite what the publication termed “bizarre refereeing decisions,” the Catalan giants demonstrated a solid collective performance across the board.
Here are the player assessments for the Barcelona starting lineup:
Wojciech Szczesny: 5.5
The goalkeeper had a quiet afternoon for the most part, facing minimal direct threats. He was largely unable to prevent the opposition’s goals, except for perhaps the initial strike, but otherwise maintained a reliable presence.
Eric Garcia: 5.5
Playing with a protective mask, the Spanish defender exhibited commendable commitment and defensive intensity. He was effective in covering the right flank and provided necessary support for Lamine Yamal throughout the match.
Ronald Araujo: 6.0
A commanding and authoritative display at the heart of the defence. The Uruguayan was nearly perfect with his distribution from the back and proved to be an absolute powerhouse in winning all his defensive duels.
Pau Cubarsi: 5.5
The young Spaniard performed adequately, particularly excelling in his ball distribution. However, he encountered some difficulties when engaging in certain physical duels, resulting in an overall respectable, if slightly patchy, contribution.
Alejandro Balde: 5.5
The left-back demonstrated significantly improved sharpness in this outing, which enabled the team to generate more threat down his wing. His pace and willingness to aggressively challenge opposing players were key offensive assets.
Frenkie de Jong: 6.0
The Dutch midfielder was the orchestrator of the team’s play, maintaining superb control despite persistent pressure from the opposition. He led by example with an emphatic performance, although he was unfairly dismissed after receiving what the source deemed an “absurd second yellow card to send him off.”
Dani Olmo: 6.5
The player stepped into the starting XI in place of Marc Casado and delivered a dependable performance from a deeper position than he is typically accustomed to, showing versatility and commitment.
Lamine Yamal: 7.0
The young winger continued to be a constant menace to the Celta defence throughout the game. He took his goal expertly with his left foot, though he missed an opportunity to add a second late in the match.
Fermin Lopez: 6.0
He showed flashes of great intensity at certain points, particularly after the interval. However, the overall impact of his actions on the game’s flow and result was not consistently significant.
Marcus Rashford: 7.5
The forward delivered an outstanding creative performance, registering two quality assists: one from open play via a precise cross, and another from a corner kick, both setting up Lewandowski. His work rate was also notably improved, including diligent defensive tracking.
Robert Lewandowski: 8.5
The Polish attacker was flawless, marking his return to the starting line-up with a brilliant hat-trick. His three goals underscored the immense quality and depth available to the team, and his clinical finishing was the driving force behind Barcelona securing maximum points.