Barcelona 2 Athletic Club 1 LIVE! Lewandowski scores late winner to continue perfect Barca start
- L. Yamal(24')
- R. Lewandowski(75')
- O. Sancet(42' PEN)
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Robert Lewandowski's goal 15 minutes from time secured a second-straight victory for Barcelona, this time accounting for Athletic Club in their home opener in La Liga.
It was a case of try and try again for Lewandowski, who hit the post either side of half-time - first a curling effort and then a bullet header - and then saw a stinging half-volley blocked by Alex Padilla.
Padilla could do nothing to stop the winner though, where the ball fell to the Polish striker after a smart run and cross from Pedri.
After a stale opening, Lamine Yamal lit up the game with a run and 25-yard curling effort which deflected past Padilla, but the lead was cancelled out before the break after VAR ruled that Pau Cubarsi clipped the heels of Alex Berenguer in the box. Oihan Sancet sent Marc-Andre ter Stegen the wrong way from the spot.
Barcelona dominated the second half and were good value for the victory which sees them share the early La Liga lead with Celta Vigo.
BARCELONA FULL VALUE FOR VICTORY
It took a while to come, but there is no doubt they deserved the win tonight.
AS DID MARTIN...
As the Barcelona players remonstrated with Herrera.
On
G. Martin
Off
A. Balde
PAU VICTOR ALSO WENT INTO THE BOOK
On
P. Delgado
Off
L. Yamal
A VERY BAD TEMPERED END TO THE GAME
Herrera was given a yellow card for a late challenge.
Yellow card
A. Herrera
VICTOR COMES ON FOR YAMAL
Pau Victor replaces the young Azulgrana hero.
On
G. Martin
Off
A. Balde
DOUBLE CHANGE FOR BARCELONA
Balde is replaced by Martin.
On
G. Martin
Off
A. Balde
LEKUE GOES INTO THE BOOK
It was almost more than that as he checked the run of Raphinia through on goal.
Yellow card
I. Lekue
LEWANDOWSKI GOES INTO THE BOOK
He is censured for an elbow to the body of Alvarez.
Yellow card
R. Lewandowski
GARCIA COMES ON FOR BERNAL
On
E. García
Off
M. Bernal
HERRERA REPLACES PRADOS
On
A. Herrera
Off
B. Prados
DOUBLE CHANGE FOR ATHLETI
Guruzeta comes on for Inaki Williams.
On
G. Guruzeta
Off
I. Williams
THE TEAMS TAKE A WATER BREAK
GOAL! BARCELONA (LEWANDOWSKI) 2-1 ATHLETIC CLUB
Pedri gets to the by-line in the left hand side of the penalty area and his cross finds Lewandowski who fires home low with his left foot.
Goal
R. Lewandowski
ADU COMES ON FOR BERENGUER
Athleti's third sub.
On
M. Adu
Off
Á. Berenguer
KOUNDE FINDS LEWANDOWSKI AT BACK POST
But from a narrow angle he could only head into the side-netting.
NICO WILLIAMS GETS TO THE BYLINE
And he blasts a low cross which ter Stegen pushes to safety.
NICO WILLIAMS LOOKS TO CLIP INTO FAR POST
But his effort is a couple of yards wide of ter Stegen's goal.
GREAT CHANCE FOR LEWANDOWSKI
He meets Raphinia's cross firmly on the half-volley but he is denied by a point blank stop from Padilla.
LOPEZ COMES ON FOR TORRES
Fermin on for Ferran.
On
F. López
Off
F. Torres