A brace from Robert Lewandowski earned Barcelona a 2-1 victory over Celta Vigo, completing the Blaugrana’s first La Liga double over Los Celestes since the 2013/14 campaign.The match got off to a fairly frantic start as the two teams fought for control, with Lamine Yamal and Jorgen Strand Larsen denied from inviting openings at either end. It looked as though Barça had found an opening when Pedri raced forward after Mihailo Ristić’s shot had been blocked, but Tadeo Allende halted the midfielder with a cynical foul to earn a yellow card. Frenkie de Jong then pounced to dispossess Fran Beltrán and spring an attack, but Vitor Roque’s touch forced him too wide to trouble Vicente Guaita.That’s not the way to treat your guests – Cholo’s boys dismantle Las PalmasBarça’s dominance grew as the first half progressed, even if that didn’t initially translate into a goal, as last-ditch defending robbed Roque of an opportunity following lovely link-up play, while Andreas Christensen headed wide from a De Jong corner delivery. Undeterred, they remained on top and were rewarded moments before the break, when Yamal found Lewandowski who provided an exquisite touch and finish for his third goal in three games.Ronald Araújo was brought off at halftime and it didn’t even take two minutes for Los Celestes to score after the restart. Óscar Mingueza flicked the ball to Iago Aspas, whose effort took a big deflection off Jules Koundé that lifted the ball over Marc-André ter Stegen. There was a blow for the hosts as Ristić went off injured shortly before the hour mark, but his replacement Manu Sánchez put enough pressure on Yamal for the teenager to shoot comfortably wide as Barça struggled to fully regain control.Just as it seemed that the hosts would earn a point, there was late drama as Celta Vigo conceded a late penalty when Beltrán kicked Yamal while trying to clear the ball and Lewandowski was allowed to retake his spot kick after Guaita had saved his penalty but came off his line.Ever the composed veteran, Lewandowski converted at the second attempt to earn Barcelona’s fourth consecutive away La Liga win. Celta Vigo, meanwhile, have lost four of their last five matches across all competitions and sit three points above the relegation zone going into vital contests with Cádiz and Almería.
LA LIGAFridayVillarreal – Getafe 1-1 (0-1)/Moreno 56 – Maksimovic 24/SaturdayAtl.Madrid – Las Palmas 5-0 (2-0)/Llorente 15, 20, Correa 47, 62 pen, Depay 87/Osasuna – Cadiz 2-0 (0-0)/Budimir 63, 90+1/Celta – Barcelona 1-2 (0-1)/Aspas 47 – Lewandowski 45, 90+7 pen/23.00: (2.40) Valencia (3.35) Sevilla (3.25)Sunday16.00: (5.70) Rayo Vallecano (3.80) Real Madrid (1.63)18.15: (2.20) Granada (3.50) Almeria (3.50)20.30: (3.05) Mallorca (3.00) Sociedad (2.55)23.00: (2.10) Betis (3.30) Alaves (3.70)***odds are subject to change