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Madrid (AFP) – Robert Lewandowski acquired off the mark for Barcelona with a double as Ansu Fati starred in its place in a 4-1 victory over Actual Sociedad on Sunday, whereas Villarreal gained at Atletico Madrid.
Poland striker Lewandowski, celebrating his thirty fourth birthday, put Barca forward inside 50 seconds earlier than Alexander Isak levelled for La Actual in San Sebastian.
However Fati got here off the bench to create objectives for Ousmane Dembele and Lewandowski, earlier than finishing the scoring himself.
Barca’s first win of the season adopted a disappointing goalless draw at house to Rayo Vallecano on the opening weekend.
Coach Xavi had known as for “endurance” from supporters after a summer time spending spree which noticed Lewandowski, Raphinha, Andreas Christensen and Franck Kessie all transfer to the Camp Nou.
That quartet all made their debuts towards Rayo, however France defender Jules Kounde remains to be to be registered by the membership after his switch from Sevilla as they give the impression of being to beat monetary issues.
The guests made a dream begin on Sunday, although, as 18-year-old full-back Alejandro Balde raced clear and despatched in a low cross which was tapped house by Lewandowski.
He scored 344 objectives throughout a trophy-laden eight-year spell at Bayern Munich earlier than leaving for 45 million euros in July.
However the house aspect hit again within the sixth minute, as Frenkie de Jong misplaced the ball in midfield and Isak raced clear earlier than lofting the ball into the web.
Sociedad have been proving a tricky nut to crack for Barca, however the recreation modified when Fati was despatched on within the sixty fourth minute.
The 19-year-old’s good backheel teed up Dembele to drill a left-footed strike into the underside nook simply two minutes later, earlier than one other intelligent contact discovered Lewandowski to attain.
Fati, who endured two injury-plagued seasons after breaking into the primary workforce in 2019/20, acquired a aim himself late on as he collected Lewandowski’s volleyed flick and slotted in.
– Villarreal down Atletico –
Earlier, Villarreal moved to the highest of the fledgling desk as second-half objectives from Yeremy Pino and Gerard Moreno secured a 2-0 victory at Atletico.
Unai Emery’s males opened their season with a formidable 3-0 win at Actual Valladolid final weekend however the scalp of Atletico will elevate hopes of a attainable problem for Champions League qualification.
The end result was a actuality verify for the capital aspect, although, who had additionally began the marketing campaign with a 3-0 success at Getafe.
Villarreal, who reached final season’s Champions League semi-finals, are one in every of 4 groups with two wins from two matches and edged above reigning champions Actual Madrid on aim distinction.
The away aspect made a quick begin on the Estadio Metropolitano, with Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak compelled into high quality saves from Giovani Lo Celso and Etienne Capoue.
Moreno thought he had given Villarreal a half-time lead, however his effort was dominated out for a handball.
Matheus Cunha was launched halfway via the second interval by house coach Diego Simeone rather than Alvaro Morata and virtually broke the impasse within the 72nd minute, solely to be denied by ‘keeper Geronimo Rulli.
Teenage winger Pino as a substitute put Villarreal in entrance only a minute later, capitalising on a poor clearance to fireside a high quality low shot into the underside nook.
Atletico’s Nahuel Molina was despatched off deep into injury-time and Moreno netted within the 97th minute to ship Villarreal high.
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