Robert Lewandowski made a huge statement on his Barcelona future with a hat-trick to secure a stunning comeback against Valencia.
Rumours made the rounds before the game about Xavi Hernandez considering dropping Lewandowski.
However, the Polish striker silenced his doubters with a masterclass performance against a strong Valencia side.
Barcelona initially took the lead through Fermin Lopez’s header.
But Valencia quickly responded as Hugo Duro capitalized on Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s error to equalize.
Valencia then took the lead with a penalty converted by Pepelu after Ronald Araujo’s foul in the box.
Despite a shaky defensive display, Barcelona found their lifeline as Lewandowski flicked home a corner to level the score.
I’m the dying minutes, Lewandowski came to the rescue once more.
He headed in Barcelona’s third goal from a corner, and then in stoppage time, he completed his hat-trick with a powerful free-kick, sealing the victory for Barcelona.
Giorgi Mamardashvili red card in the stoppage time of the first half, affected Valencia’s tempo, paving the way for Barca to stage the comeback.
The encounter was also Xavi’s first outing, since making a u-turn as the Catalan club boss.
