Madrid: Robert Lewandowski were given off the mark for Barcelona with a double as Ansu Fati starred as an alternative in a 4-1 victory over Actual Sociedad on Sunday, whilst Villarreal gained at Atletico Madrid.
Poland striker Lewandowski, celebrating his thirty fourth birthday, put Barca forward inside of 50 seconds ahead of Alexander Isak levelled for Los angeles Actual in San Sebastian.
However Fati got here off the bench to create targets for Ousmane Dembele and Lewandowski, ahead of finishing the scoring himself.
Barca’s first win of the season adopted a disappointing goalless draw at house to Rayo Vallecano at the opening weekend.
Trainer Xavi had referred to as for “persistence” 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 in opposition to Rayo, however France defender Jules Kounde remains to be to be registered by means of the membership after his switch from Sevilla as they give the impression of being to triumph over monetary issues.
The guests made a dream get started on Sunday, despite the fact that, as 18-year-old full-back Alejandro Balde raced transparent and despatched in a low pass which was once tapped house by means of Lewandowski.
He scored 344 targets right through a trophy-laden eight-year spell at Bayern Munich ahead of leaving for 45 million euros in July.
However the house aspect hit again within the 6th minute, as Frenkie de Jong misplaced the ball in midfield and Isak raced transparent ahead of lofting the ball into the web.
Sociedad have been proving a difficult nut to crack for Barca, however the sport modified when Fati was once despatched on within the sixty fourth minute.
The nineteen-year-old’s sensible backheel teed up Dembele to drill a left-footed strike into the ground nook simply two mins later, ahead of every other suave contact discovered Lewandowski to attain.
Fati, who continued two injury-plagued seasons after breaking into the primary group in 2019/20, were given a function himself overdue on as he accrued Lewandowski’s volleyed flick and slotted in.
Villarreal down Atletico
Previous, Villarreal moved to the highest of the fledgling desk as second-half targets from Yeremy Pino and Gerard Moreno secured a 2-0 victory at Atletico.
Unai Emery’s males opened their season with an outstanding 3-0 win at Actual Valladolid ultimate weekend however the scalp of Atletico will elevate hopes of a conceivable problem for Champions League qualification.
The outcome was once a fact take a look at for the capital aspect, despite the fact that, who had additionally began the marketing campaign with a 3-0 luck at Getafe.
Villarreal, who reached ultimate season’s Champions League semi-finals, are one in all 4 groups with two wins from two suits and edged above reigning champions Actual Madrid on function distinction.
The away aspect made a quick get started on the Estadio Metropolitano, with Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak compelled into positive saves from Giovani Lo Celso and Etienne Capoue.
Moreno idea he had given Villarreal a half-time lead, however his effort was once dominated out for a handball.
Matheus Cunha was once offered halfway via the second one duration by means of house trainer Diego Simeone instead of Alvaro Morata and nearly broke the impasse within the 72nd minute, handiest to be denied by means of ‘keeper Geronimo Rulli.
Teenage winger Pino as a substitute put Villarreal in entrance only a minute later, capitalising on a deficient clearance to fireplace a positive low shot into the ground nook.
Atletico’s Nahuel Molina was once despatched off deep into injury-time and Moreno netted within the 97th minute to ship Villarreal most sensible.