BARCELONA: Barcelona fought back to secure a barnstorming 4-3 win at Villarreal on Sunday, with last year’s LaLiga top scorer Robert Lewandowski bagging the winner late in the second half.

Villarreal were arguably the better side throughout the match, but a clinical Barca scored at key moments, helped by a brilliant performance from 16-year-old Lamine Yamal, who created most of their opportunities, including an assist, and had two shots off the woodwork.

Villarreal’s Alexander Sorloth and Alex Baena wasted golden opportunities in the first minutes and Sorloth had an effort ruled out after a VAR check showed he was marginally offside in the build-up.

Barca, however, took an early two-goal lead thanks to a perfectly placed cross by Yamal that allowed Gavi to open the scoring in the 12th minute with a close-range header and three minutes later, they doubled their advantage with a shot by Frenkie De Jong following a defensive mistake.

But the hosts kept up their relentless pace and recovered with first-half goals by Juan Foyth and Alexander Sorloth, and from Alex Baena five minutes after the break.

Substitute Ferran Torres continued his strong pre-season form by pulling Barcelona level and soon Lewandowski tapped home the winning goal, his first of the season, after Yamal’s drive hit the post, to send Barca provisionally third.

“We have to look at our youth academy, and even more so given the situation we’re in economically,” Barca coach Xavi told Movistar, after also giving midfielder Fermin Lopez his debut as a substitute. “Lamine had another great game. He helped us a lot. He set up a couple of goals and he created so much at 16 years old.”

Athletic Bilbao came from behind to beat Real Betis 4-2 in an entertaining clash at San Mames.

The visitors took an early lead through Willian Jose and Isco, but Los Leones roared back to triumph.

Mikel Vesga netted two penalties before Gorka Guruzeta sent the Basques ahead and Unai Gomez made the game safe.

Betis striker Borja Iglesias was applauded by Athletic fans as he came on as a substitute, following his retirement from the Spanish national team following federation chief Luis Rubiales’s controversial kiss and subsequent refusal to quit his post.

Rubiales kissed Spanish Women’s World Cup winner Jenni Hermoso on the lips and said it was consensual, which she denies, drawing worldwide criticism.

Valencia suffered their first defeat of the season, with Osasuna’s Nacho Vidal netting a 95th minute acrobatic winner from a corner at Mestalla.

Published in Dawn, August 29th, 2023