Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski scored a 93rd-minute winner as they beat Valencia 1-0 on Saturday to take provisional top spot level on points with Real Madrid in LaLiga.
With the match heading for what seemed like a goalless draw, Barca’s Raphinha looped a cross into the box which was acrobatically stabbed home by a stretching Lewandowski for the Poland striker’s 13th league goal of the season.
– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, MLS, more (U.S.)
The result means Barca have 31 points after 12 games, the same as Real, who host second-bottom Girona on Sunday.
Barcelona created many opportunities in the first half but Valencia’s rearguard stood firm, with goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili denying Ansu Fati while Lewandowski also saw a header come off the post.
The home side were dealt a major blow with 18 minutes on the clock when their top scorer Edinson Cavani, who had netted the club’s four goals in their last three matches, came off with an ankle injury.
Valencia’s Samuel Lino thought he had opened the scoring four minutes into the second half and the Mestalla crowd erupted, but the referee chalked it off following a VAR check as Marcos Andre had touched the cross with his hand.
Barca’s Ferran Torres had a glorious chance to score against his former club, but he failed to make good contact with the ball from a few metres out. However, Lewandowski’s goal minutes later ensured Xavi Hernandez’s side came away with all three points.
The Catalan club did get a scare when France defender Jules Kounde came off with an apparent injury in the 74th minute and was replaced by Gerard Pique, but Xavi said after the match it wasn’t anything serious.
