European soccer roundup: Barcelona leads La Liga thanks to a hat-trick from Robert Lewandowski

Hat-trick from Robert Lewandowski

European soccer roundup: Barcelona leads La Liga thanks to a hat-trick from Robert Lewandowski

League rankings are beginning to take shape as European soccer prepares for its second international break of the year.

While some teams have gotten off to a great start and have become teams to watch throughout the season.

Others have struggled early on and produced outcomes that may cost them dearly in the end.

What you need to know about the events that occurred over the weekend in Europe’s top leagues is provided here.

Spain’s La Liga: Real Madrid struggles with injuries but Barcelona cruises to win

This man, Robert Lewandowski, is a machine.

On Sunday, Barcelona defeated Alavés 3-0 thanks to a first-half hat-trick from the Polish striker.

Who put on a historic display that kept the Catalan team atop La Liga.

Seven minutes in, Lewandowski opened the score with a header after winger Raphinha’s whipped cross. Fifteen minutes later, the two players linked up once more to give the striker a tap-in.

After stroking the ball past Antonio Sivera in the Alavés goal in the 32nd minute.

Lewandowski finished with a hat-trick in little over 30 minutes, increasing his total to 10 league goals in nine games.

The 36-year-old has now scored three hat tricks for Barcelona.

Making it his 27th club goal overall, according to the squad.

After the match, Barça manager Hansi Flick, who also coached Lewandowski at Bayern Munich.

Hailed his star striker and his team’s attacking ability.

“Lewy is the finest player for me in front of the goal; everyone supports him and he knows what to do in the box,” Flick remarked following the game.

He is been incredible for such a long time; it is excellent that he is scored so many goals.

With him, I am really content. He appears to be in perfect health, and his teammates are doing a fantastic job of encouraging him.

“You demonstrate things from a tactical standpoint at every training session and meeting, and positions are crucial as well. They are performing admirably, and these players’ incredible dynamic greatly benefits us.

“We end up scoring a lot of goals, which is excellent for us and enables us to have this confidence in our game, in our notion to play football in the upcoming matches,” he continued.

In other news, Federico Valverde and Vinícius Júnior’s goals helped Real Madrid, Barcelona’s bitter rival, defeat Villarreal 2-0 on Saturday. Unfortunately, Dani Carvajal, a veteran player and starting right back, suffered a catastrophic injury that derailed the triumph.

After being taken off the field on a stretcher during the match, Carvajal’s injuries were later confirmed by the team as “ruptured popliteus tendon, ruptured anterior cruciate ligament, and ruptured external collateral ligament in his right leg.” After surgery, it is anticipated that the 32-year-old will be sidelined for a significant period of time.

Madrid is still three points behind league leaders Barça in second position.