Robert Lewandowski’s first-half hat-trick guided La Liga leaders Barcelona to a 3-0 win away at Deportivo Alaves on Sunday as the Polish striker extended his lead at the top of the league’s scoring charts.
Barcelona wasted no time in going in front when Lewandowski headed home from a Raphinha free-kick in the seventh minute before the Brazilian winger provided another assist on a counter-attack for the 36-year-old striker to grab his second.
Lewandowski completed his hat-trick in the 32nd minute for his 10th La Liga goal in nine games this season, but despite their dominance Barcelona could not score another as Antonio Sivera stood strong in the Alaves goal with six saves.
The victory moved Barcelona to 24 points, restoring their three-point lead over Real while Alaves are 12th with 10 points.
Carvajal blow
An early Federico Valverde strike and another goal from Vinicius Jr helped Real Madrid to a 2-0 home win against Villarreal on Saturday as Carlo Ancelotti’s men returned to winning ways after two games without a victory.
But Real right back Dani Carvajal will undergo surgery after rupturing two ligaments and a tendon in his right leg, after the Spaniard was taken off on a stretcher during the match.
The 32-year-old twisted his right knee during a duel with Villarreal midfielder Yeremy Pino in stoppage time.
“Serious cruciate ligament injury confirmed, I’ll have to undergo surgery and be off the field for a few months,” Carvajal said on Instagram, where he also posted a picture of himself in an ambulance.