Lewandowski helps Liga leaders Barca past Getafe / Photo: LLUIS GENE - AFP
-
Fire in Northern China Apartment Building Kills 14
-
Solihull Hospital Performs First Robotic-Assisted Gynaecological Cancer Surgeries
-
Apple’s 20th Anniversary iPhone to Skip Action Button for Camera Control Integration
-
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang Admits Infidelity Amid Spy Investigation
-
Family of Woman Who Died at Voting Station Condemns Official Silence
-
Ted Scheinman’s Journey Through Depression and Electroconvulsive Therapy
-
Karen Wazen Launches First Standalone Boutiques in Cairo
-
Phoenix Symphony Resumes Performances Amid Financial Uncertainty
-
New 401k Gold IRA Investment Guide Explains the Best Way to Invest in Gold for Retirement (2026 Update)
-
Making Your Home Safer for Aging Parents: Accessibility Renovations That Add Value
-
InterContinental Hotels Group PLC Announces Transaction in Own Shares - November 09
-
Top Chef Winner Nicole Gomes Opens Lucky Lily Asian Brasserie at YVR
-
First Drive: 2027 BMW i760 xDrive Review
-
Marc Almond to Close Soft Cell Era After Final 'Danceteria' Tour
-
Gary, Indiana Blackout Exposes FEMA Relief Disparities Along Racial Lines
-
Malta Chamber of Commerce and FIMBank Sign Alliance Agreement to Boost Corporate Finance
-
Turkish Energy Minister Highlights Qatar as Key Partner for Regional and Global Energy Security
-
Rene Eyre Revisits Autobiographical Performance 'Say A Little Prayer' in London
-
London Museum Granted 24/7 License Ahead of November Opening
-
UAE's HCT Holds Record Graduation and Announces Major Training Expansion
Lewandowski helps Liga leaders Barca past Getafe
Robert Lewandowski continued his fine form and earned La Liga leaders Barcelona a 1-0 win over Getafe on Wednesday.
The Polish forward struck from close range in the first half to maintain Barca's 100 percent record in the league so far this season with their seventh victory.
Barcelona dominated despite not being able to add to their lead and restored a four-point advantage on Real Madrid, who beat Alaves on Tuesday.
Coach Hansi Flick started Inaki Pena in goal for the stricken Marc-Andre ter Stegen, out for months with a severe knee injury, and brought Marc Casado and Alejandro Balde back into the side.
The reserve goalkeeper, who conceded 32 times in 17 matches across all competitions last season, heard his name chanted supportively by fans behind his goal and saved an early header from Carles Perez.
By contrast his opposite number David Soria's weak touch on Jules Kounde's cross led to Barcelona's opener on 19 minutes, the ball falling perfectly for Lewandowski to finish from close range.
The 36-year-old striker has seven goals in La Liga this season and leads the scoring charts, seemingly rejuvenated under Flick after struggling at times last season.
Teen starlet Lamine Yamal might have doubled the lead moments later when Raphinha played him in, but he nudged inches past the post.
Soria made a good save from Raphinha, who collected the August player of the month award before kick-off, and soon sent another effort skidding wide.
Yamal almost bent home a delicious curling strike from distance before the hour, but Soria tipped it over the crossbar.
The Getafe goalkeeper also palmed a dangerous Raphinha free-kick around the post as Barcelona pushed for a second to put the match to bed.
Spain's Euro 2024 hero Yamal clipped the top of the crossbar with a vicious effort from distance, as Barca started to grumble about Getafe's persistently heavy challenges.
Raphinha missed a golden chance in the final stages, heading wide after a clever dart into the box but Barcelona were not punished for their profligacy.
Getafe, 19th, are still winless and wasted a fine chance of their own at the death when Borja Mayoral failed to get a shot away when well placed and free inside the box.
The leaders next travel to face Osasuna on Saturday, before second-place Real Madrid face rivals Atletico Madrid in a derby clash on Sunday.
M.Robinson--AT
