Lewandowski hat-trick lifts Barca in six-goal thriller
Robert Lewandowski's hat-trick helped Barcelona earn a thrilling 4-2 victory over Celta Vigo and pull within three points of Real Madrid at the top of LaLiga.
After watching its title rival draw 0-0 with Rayo Vallecano earlier in the day, Hansi Flick's side took its opportunity to close the gap at the summit, though it was pushed hard by Celta and ended the game with 10 players after Frenkie de Jong was sent off four minutes into second-half stoppage time.
Lewandowski put Barca ahead from the penalty spot in the 10th minute after Marcos Alonso was penalised for handball inside his own area, following a VAR review.
But Celta clawed level within less than two minutes, as Sergio Carreira rounded Wojciech Szczesny and tapped home after being played through on goal by Borja Iglesias.
Marcus Rashford fired against the woodwork as Barca got back on top, and its lead was restored when the Manchester United loanee supplied a pinpoint cross for Lewandowski to tuck home in the 37th minute.
Celta again got back on terms quickly via a powerful finish from Iglesias, but Barca went into half-time 3-2 up, with Ionut Radu failing to keep Lamine Yamal's strike out despite getting two hands to the ball at his near post.
The second half featured less goalmouth action as Barca dominated possession, and it got its insurance goal via Lewandowski, who flicked another Rashford delivery in to seal the match ball with 17 minutes to play.
Yamal also fired against the post after breaking through one-on-one late on, then Barca was made to finish the game with 10 men as De Jong received his second yellow card for a careless foul from behind on Iago Aspas.
While Barca is hot on the heels of Madrid at the top of the table, Celta sits 13th, having only won two of its 12 games, though it has played out seven draws.
