Real Sociedad 1-4 Barcelona: Birthday boy Lewandowski hits brace to end barren streak

Robert Lewandowski opened his account for Barcelona after just 44 seconds in a 3-1 victory against Real Sociedad as part of a brace to celebrate his birthday.

Aleksander Isak wasted no time in equalising for the hosts, who forced Marc Andre Ter Stegen into some fine saves and saw a second-half goal ruled out for offside.

Ansu Fati provided the inspiration to end Barcelona's three-game streak without a win, coming off the bench to provide two assists in six minutes - Ousmane Dembele and Lewandowski the beneficiaries.

The Spaniard then added his name to the scoresheet after Lewandowski returned the favour, coolly slotting home to ensure all three points would come to Catalonia.

Barcelona's barren streak of 360 minutes without a goal came to an abrupt end, Lewandowski steering home after Alejandro Balde led a counter-attack for the visitors to celebrate his birthday with his first LaLiga goal.

The hosts took just five minutes to respond though, Frenkie de Jong dispossessed in midfield and David Silva feeding through Isak – who saw his finish loft over the head of Marc Andre ter Stegen after a deflection off Eric Garcia.

Seven minutes after the restart, the hosts thought they had taken the lead as Brais Mendez's free-kick found its way all the way past Ter Stegen but the offside flag was raised as Robin Le Normand impeded the German's view.

Fati provided an immediate impact after his introduction, backheeling into the path of Dembele to drill home into the far corner, then tapping a pass to Lewandowski to make it three.

Lewandowski then turned provider for Fati, flicking the ball through for the Spaniard to slot home and guarantee a first win of the season.

What does it mean? Barcelona finally get firing

Barcelona have never gone four LaLiga matches in a row without scoring and, while Lewandowski's quick strike ensured that stat would remain, it was far from a thrilling display in the first half from Xavi's side.

When they eventually got going, Barcelona were ruthless – scoring with four of their seven attempts on target which, given two were tame attempts from Lewandowski, paints a much more encouraging picture.

Slow starts will continue to be a concern though, as will the way in which Isak opened the scoring after Silva robbed De Jong of possession in midfield.

Xavi's super sub

The turning point in the game came with a double substitution on 62 minutes, Xavi introducing Fati and Raphinha, and the former inspired a formerly toothless side to show their teeth.

Teeing up Dembele and Lewandowski in the space of just a few minutes, Fati then struck himself – finishing the game with two assists and a goal, completing 15 of 18 pass attempts – seven of which came in the final third.

Isolated Isak

Isak's fortuitous finish to level the score was the only moment of note for the Swedish striker, who struggled to establish any sort of foothold in the game before being substituted in the second half.

The 22-year-old had just 22 touches, fewer than any other player to have started the match, lost possession on 12 occasions and entered the final third just once.

Key Opta Facts

- Barcelona are undefeated in their last 16 LaLiga away games (W10 D6), their best away streak in the competition since May 2018 (W15 D6).

- Lewandowski's opener is the fastest goal for the Pole of the 314 he has scored between Bundesliga (312) and LaLiga (2) during his career.

- Only on two previous occasions have Barcelona scored earlier in LaLiga in the 21st century: Javier Saviola against Valladolid in 2004 (30 seconds) and Andres Iniesta against Recreativo in 2009 (43 seconds).

- At 34 years old, Lewandowski is the oldest Barcelona player to score two goals in a LaLiga game this century.

- Isak scored his 33rd goal in LaLiga (105 appearances) and became the top Swedish scorer in the competition, surpassing Henry Carlsson by one.

 

What's next?

Barcelona host Real Valladolid on Sunday, while Real Sociedad travel to Elche a day prior.