Robert Lewandowski celebrated his 34th birthday with two goals and an assist as Barcelona defeated Real Sociedad.
It was Barcelona's first win of the new LaLiga season, with Ansu Fati coming off the bench in the second half to take charge of the match.
The Polish forward scored his first LaLiga goal in the first minute of the game. Alexander Isak latched onto a pass from David Silva to tie the game.
Raphinha and Ansu joined the team in the 64th minute. The 66th minute saw Ousmane Dembele score and two minutes later, Robert Lewandowski score. Ansu scored a goal in the 78th minute to finish the game.
There are a lot of talking points from Barcelona's win.
The LaLiga table and upcoming fixtures were reported.
Player ratings, best and worst performers, highlights and notable moments, post- match quotes, and key statistics are included.
This is the first thing. The man celebrates 34th.
Robert Lewandowski scored his first goal for his new club after good work from Pedri and Alejandro Balde.
Frenkie de Jong had lost the ball in the middle and was replaced by Alexander Isak.
The two sides fought back and forth before Xavi's replacement swung the game in Barcelona's favor.
Ousmane Dembele drove in to the bottom corner after a backheel from Ansu Fati gave Barcelona the lead.
Dembele's goal kicked off a sensational last 25 minutes from Barcelona, with Lewandowski adding his second minutes later and the Polish forward producing a brilliantly improvised pass to set up Ansu for the fourth.
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There are two Ansu is in the experimental XI.
Xavi decided to experiment at Anoeta after a dull goalless draw at home to Rayo Vallecano.
Youngster Balde came in for Jordi Alba to play as a left wing back, with Ousmane Dembele on the other side, while Ferran Torres made his first start of the season in the middle.
It was the first league game in over a year in which all of the club's captains started. After an hour, Xavi showed off the new found depth of the club.
Raphinha was introduced but it was an academy graduate who stole the show. The 19-year-old made an immediate impact, setting up goals for Dembele and Lewandowski before scoring his first of the season.
Ansu and Pedri may be the two most important players for Barcelona because of the money they have spent.
There are three. 'La Real' didn't do well after a good start.
Imanol will be wondering how his team lost.
They were more than matched by Barcelona for an hour and had the better chances to lead at the half.
David Silva was denied by an outstanding save from the other side of the net. The home side had a goal ruled out for being in an ineligible position and the German goalkeeper made two more great stops.
La Real will be positive. Isak, who netted for the first time since April here, was fed by Silva, Merino, Takefusha Kubo, Martin Zubimendi and Brais Mendez in the middle.
Barcelona: Ter Stegen 8; Araujo 6, Christensen 7, Eric Garcia 6, Balde 7.
Ansu and Raphinha were on the subs.
The subs were Cho, Turrientes, and Navarro.
The best is Ansu Fati.
Without Ansu's impact off the bench, the Catalans may not have been able to find a way through in the second half.
The worst is Frenkie de Jong.
The Dutch player lost the ball in the build up to La Real's goal and struggled to fill in for Busquets. His first half performance was a symptom of a disorganized Barcelona and he improved in the second half.
A 34th birthday can be celebrated with that. Feliz Cumplenos to the man!
Robert Lewandowski scored the first goal of the game.
The birthday boy might want to give Ansu a present as well.
Ansu Fati scored in the 78th minute.
๐๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ฉ๐ค ๐ฃ๐ค๐จ ๐จ๐ช๐๐ฃ๐, @ANSUFATI... pic.twitter.com/7YIEeap4yy
โ LaLiga (@LaLiga) August 21, 2022
That is quite a comparison.
When you come here, it's always difficult. We played with more patience in the second half. In the first half, we didn't have that. At the break we talked about attacking the space better. We deserved the victory.
We were playing with a lot of people. It's all about risk and how many you need to take.
Barcelona's fastest goal in all competition was scored by Iniesta after 43 seconds against Recreativo.
He didn't record his first multi- goal game until his 11th match.
Since 2010-11, Ansu Fati is the 11th different teenager with a multi- assist game. Four people have done it as a subsitute.
Barcelona hosted a friendly against Manchester City on Wednesday and will play Real Valladolid on August 28.
They are going to Elche on August 27.
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