Barcelona produced a commanding performance in the ninth round of La Liga, defeating Alaves 3-0 at Mendizorroza in Vitoria. The visitors moved ahead through a hat-trick by Robert Lewandowski, who struck in the seventh, the twenty-second, and the thirty-second minutes. Rafinha supplied assists for the first two goals, while Eric Garcia set up the third, sealing the win and showcasing the Catalan side’s firepower on the road.
The feat placed Lewandowski among the fastest players to reach a La Liga hat-trick for Barcelona. Opta notes that this was the fourth fastest triple in Barcelona’s league history. Only Samuel Eto o in the twenty-fourth minute in 2008, Justo Tejada in the twenty-eighth minute in 1954, and Lionel Messi in the thirtieth minute in 2011 recorded faster times for the club, with Eto o scoring in the twenty-fourth, Tejada in the twenty-eighth, and Messi in the thirtieth.
Barcelona now sits atop the La Liga standings, building a comfortable margin over Real Madrid as the season unfolds. The Catalan club has shown resilience across fixtures, gathering a string of wins while keeping defeats to a minimum. The win at Mendizorroza reinforced their ambition and reinforced belief that the team can sustain a title challenge this campaign, balancing explosive attacking play with disciplined defense.
Alaves remained mid-table after the defeat, holding a modest points tally and positioning them among teams jostling for stability rather than danger. The result was a setback for the Basque club, which will look to rebound in upcoming matches to close the gap on the higher end of the table.
The match underscored Barcelona’s depth and Lewandowski’s standout form, with Rafinha providing sharp support and Garcia contributing from open play. The result further cements the club’s status as a serious challenger in the domestic race and sends a clear message to rivals about their attacking versatility and their capacity to seal games early.