Lewandowski leads Barcelona to victory over Athletic Club

FC Barcelona secured a crucial home victory over Athletic Club with a 2-1 win, thanks to a decisive goal from Robert Lewandowski in the 75th minute. The veteran Polish striker, who turned 36 recently, continued his excellent form, having also scored twice in Barcelona's previous match against Valencia.

Early lead and Athletic's equalizer

Barcelona took the lead in the 24th minute through young sensation Lamine Yamal. The 17-year-old forward found the back of the net with a stroke of luck, as his shot deflected off the head of Athletic Club defender Dani Vivian, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance. This early goal set the tone for what was expected to be a comfortable evening for the Catalans. However, Athletic Club responded before halftime. In the 42nd minute, they were awarded a penalty after Pau Cubarsí committed a foul inside the box. Oihan Sancet stepped up and calmly converted the spot-kick, leveling the score at 1-1 and putting pressure on the home side.

Lewandowski’s winning touch

The second half saw Barcelona dominate possession, but they struggled to break down a resilient Athletic defense. It wasn’t until the 75th minute that Lewandowski, demonstrating his experience and class, found the back of the net to secure the victory for Barcelona. His goal, a well-placed shot, came at a crucial time and proved to be the match-winner.

Barcelona’s off-field challenges

Despite the win, Barcelona continues to face challenges off the pitch. Frenkie de Jong remains sidelined due to injury, and new signing Dani Olmo is still unavailable for selection. Olmo, who rejoined Barcelona this summer from RB Leipzig for a hefty €60 million, cannot be registered yet due to the club’s ongoing salary cap issues. Barcelona must first offload players to make room for Olmo's registration.

In response to these financial constraints, the club has already allowed Ilkay Gündogan to return to Manchester City and is actively looking to move players like Clément Lenglet, Mikayil Faye, and Vitor Roque before the transfer window closes. Barcelona's victory over Athletic Club propels them further up the La Liga standings, but the ongoing financial hurdles remain a concern. As the club navigates these challenges, Lewandowski’s form and the emergence of young talents like Yamal will be key to their success this season.