Barcelona made an epic comeback in La Liga, with Robert Lewandowski scoring twice against Alaves. The win was much-needed and kept Barcelona hot on the heels of league toppers, Girona, and runners-up, Real Madrid. In other noteworthy games, Antoine Griezmann scored his 300th goal for club and country, helping Atletico secure their fourth position, and Sevilla managed to pull off a 1-1 draw against Real Betis in a thrilling Seville derby.
What was Barcelona’s comeback in La Liga?
Barcelona made a triumphant revival in La Liga on November 12, 2023, with Robert Lewandowski scoring twice against Alaves. This victory offered Barcelona a much-needed respite, keeping them hot on the heels of league toppers, Girona, and runners-up, Real Madrid. The win was cemented when Lewandowski netted a penalty kick following a blatant foul on Ferran Torres.
Barcelona’s Triumphant Revival
In an exhilarating face-off during the Spanish Championship, La Liga, on November 12, 2023, Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski made a powerful comeback by scoring twice against Alaves. The veteran forward’s exceptional show of talent and determination put an end to a series of poor performances by the host team, keeping them hot on the heels of league toppers, Girona, and runners-up, Real Madrid.
Lewandowski, famous for his remarkable skills, was in the middle of an unexpected scoring drought — failing to net a goal in six consecutive matches. This barren run was a first in his illustrious career of over ten years. The confrontation against Alaves, however, witnessed him returning to his peak form. Lewandowski’s superb show began with a remarkable header early in the second half, followed by an assuredly taken penalty in the 77th minute; this boosted his league goal tally to seven.
A Much-Needed Victory for Barcelona
The victory offered Barcelona a much-needed respite. The team was under tremendous pressure due to intense media scrutiny. Xavi, Barcelona’s coach, admitted that the pressure was palpable, particularly among the young players. “The barrage of criticism surrounding the team had us more on edge than usual,” he confessed in a post-match interview. However, he staunchly declared that the team was not in crisis, attributing the recent slump to minor mistakes that he would address.
Alaves, however, did not give Barcelona an easy ride. Samu Omorodion, a 19-year-old on loan from Atletico, consistently outperformed Barcelona’s French centre-back Jules Kounde, resulting in a tactical reassignment of Kounde to right back mid-game. The young forward’s performance, paired with Barcelona’s defensive chaos, led to Alaves seizing the lead within the first minute of the game, courtesy of Omorodion’s goal. Alaves was on the verge of extending their lead in a tense first-half.
Turning the Tide: Barcelona’s Second Half Comeback
The second half of the match saw a reversal in fortune. Barcelona, fuelled by their fans’ jeering and heckling, equalized the score with Lewandowski’s stellar header from Kounde’s cross from the right. The win was cemented when Lewandowski netted a penalty kick following a blatant foul on Ferran Torres.
Other Standout Performances
In other noteworthy games on the same day, Antoine Griezmann played a crucial part in Atletico Madrid’s comeback against Villarreal. Griezmann scored his 300th goal for club and country, helping Atletico secure their fourth position and stay just two points behind Barcelona. Atletico’s victory was a perfect tribute to coach Diego Simeone who recently extended his contract till 2027. Simeone heaped praise on Griezmann, describing him as “tremendously important both presently and in the future.”
In another riveting match of the day, Sevilla managed to pull off a 1-1 draw against Real Betis in a thrilling Seville derby. Despite not having secured a single La Liga victory since September, Sevilla displayed their unwavering resolve, with Ivan Rakitic scoring an impressive long-range goal to keep them in the mid-table zone. The competitive spirit and the exhilarating atmosphere of the game remain the defining features of La Liga, as the players and the teams continue to exceed expectations, turning every match into a spectacle to watch.
1. What was Barcelona’s comeback in La Liga?
Barcelona made a triumphant revival in La Liga on November 12, 2023, with Robert Lewandowski scoring twice against Alaves. The win was much-needed and kept Barcelona hot on the heels of league toppers, Girona, and runners-up, Real Madrid.
2. Who scored their 300th goal for club and country in La Liga?
Antoine Griezmann scored his 300th goal for club and country in La Liga, helping Atletico secure their fourth position and stay just two points behind Barcelona.
3. What was the result of the Seville derby in La Liga?
Sevilla managed to pull off a 1-1 draw against Real Betis in a thrilling Seville derby.
4. What was the reason for Barcelona’s recent poor performances?
Barcelona’s coach, Xavi, attributed the recent slump to minor mistakes that he would address.
5. Who was the standout player for Atletico Madrid in their comeback against Villarreal?
Antoine Griezmann played a crucial part in Atletico Madrid’s comeback against Villarreal.
6. How did Lewandowski end his scoring drought in La Liga?
Lewandowski ended his scoring drought in La Liga by making an exceptional comeback and scoring twice against Alaves. This boosted his league goal tally to seven, with the second goal being a penalty kick following a blatant foul on Ferran Torres.
