Lewandowski rediscovers golden touch as Barca stretch lead at summit

Mueez Ajao

– Robert Lewandowski scored twice as Barcelona edged closer to a first La Liga title since 2019 with a thumping win at Elche.

– The Poland striker opened the scoring with a scuffed finish in the 20th minute and Ansu Fati added the second eight minutes into the second half.

– Gavi teed up Lewandowski to score the third and Ferran Torres extended the lead further in the 70th minute.

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– Barcelona are now 15 points clear of second-placed Real Madrid.

– Elche were playing their first match under Sebastian Beccacece – their fourth permanent manager of the season – but after a solid first-half showing lost their way after the break and remain 14 points from safety at the foot of the table.

– Lewandowski put Barcelona ahead with their first real chance of the game when Jordi Alba’s free-kick was headed down to him by Ronald Araujo and his miskick looped into the far corner.

– The La Liga top scorer should have added a second late in the half but headed over from point-blank range.

– The hosts’ best chance came when Jose Angel Carmona was put clean through only to feel his hamstring go as he burst clear and lose his footing.

– Three minutes later, Fati was able to run from inside his own half and drill the ball into the bottom corner as the Elche defence backed off.

– Lewandowski made it three with another untidy but effective finish on 66 minutes, before Torres completed the scoring with a curling effort from the edge of the box.