VALENCIA: Robert Lewandowski scored twice to secure a 2-1 comeback victory for Barcelona over Valencia in their La Liga opener on Saturday.
Barcelona struggled early in the match and fell behind when Valencia’s Hugo Duro scored with a close-range header in the 44th minute. However, Lewandowski equalized for Barcelona just before halftime, tapping in a cross from Lamine Yamal. He then converted a penalty into the top corner after Raphinha was fouled shortly after the break.
Despite missing several key players and starting three 17-year-olds, Barcelona managed to secure a gritty win at the sold-out Mestalla stadium. The team was without Ilkay Gundogan, Pedri, Gavi, Ronald Araujo, Frenkie De Jong, and Ansu Fati due to injuries, and new signing Dani Olmo was not yet registered with La Liga because of Barcelona’s Financial Fair Play (FFP) issues.
With these absences, German manager Hansi Flick had to make do with a makeshift lineup, featuring Marc Bernal, Lamine Yamal, and Pau Cubarsi—all just 17 years old—playing in the intense heat and humidity of Spain’s east coast.
Valencia initially dominated, with Rafa Mir narrowly missing two diving headers and Cubarsi almost scoring two own goals while trying to deflect efforts from Andre Almeida and Diego Lopez. Just after Duro’s goal, Cubarsi made a crucial goalline clearance to keep Barcelona in the game.
Lewandowski’s first goal came from a well-executed team move. Alejandro Balde delivered a cross from the left, which Yamal redirected into Lewandowski’s path for an easy tap-in. In the second minute of the second half, Lewandowski converted a penalty after Cristhian Mosquera fouled Raphinha.
Barcelona’s lead shifted the game’s momentum, and they created several opportunities to extend their advantage against a Valencia side struggling to respond.
“We played much better in the second half, and with three or four very young players, winning this game at the beginning of the season is very important, especially at this difficult stadium,” Lewandowski told Movistar. “My goal is always to score, and getting goals in the first game of the season is crucial for confidence.”
Earlier on Saturday, Sevilla and Las Palmas drew 2-2, with both teams scoring own goals in the first half. Newly-promoted Leganes also secured a 1-1 draw against Osasuna.
