Lewandowski hat-trick helps Barcelona defeat Valencia

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Barcelona secured a comfortable win as Robert Lewandowski netted a hat-trick in the second half following the sending off of Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili.

The home team initially took the lead through Fermin Lopez before Hudo Duro equalized, and Pepelu’s penalty put Valencia ahead.

However, the momentum shifted after Mamardashvili’s red card just before the break, and 35-year-old Polish striker Lewandowski seized the opportunity. He scored an equalizing header early in the second half, followed by a rebound goal, and completed his hat-trick with a free-kick in added time.

Despite the win, Barcelona remains second in La Liga, trailing Real Madrid by 11 points with five games left in the season.

Valencia is in eighth place, struggling to secure a European spot for next season as they are four points behind sixth-placed Real Sociedad.