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| Robert Lewandowski of FC Barcelona celebrates with Joao Felix of FC Barcelona after scoring the team's first goal during the LaLiga EA Sports match between FC Barcelona and Deportivo Alaves at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on November 12, 2023 in Barcelona, Spain. |
Polish ace Robert Lewandowski has struck twice to lead Barcelona to a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Alaves in the Spanish league, moving them to within four points of surprise leaders Girona.
The home win on Sunday also moved Barcelona back within two points of second-placed Real Madrid, who had routed Valencia 5-1 the previous day.
Fellow Catalan club Girona had also come from one down to win 2-1 at Rayo Vallecano, also on Saturday.
Alaves took the lead in a breakaway one minute into the match in Montjuic, but Lewandowski helped the hosts rally with a header in the 53th and a penalty in the 78th.
Lewandowski, who was sidelined recently with an injury, hadn't scored in six matches since getting a double in the 3-2 win against Celta Vigo in September.
Barcelona were coming off a 1-0 loss at Shakhtar Donetsk in the group stage of the Champions League.
Two rounds ago they lost 2-1 to Real Madrid at home in the first "clasico" of the season and also needed a stoppage-time goal to win at Real Sociedad last weekend.
But they extended their unbeaten run against Alaves in the league to 12 league games, with 10 wins and two draws.
Alaves, sitting in 14th place, beat last-place Almeria in the previous round to end a seven-game winless streak in the league.
Barcelona remained without injured midfielders Frenkie de Jong and Sergi Roberto, and coach Xavi also couldn't count on the suspended Gavi.
Pedri, who was coming off an injury, was back in the starting lineup after coming off the bench in the last two matches. Teenager Lamine Yamal also started after being on the bench in the last four matches.