Barcelona win, extend lead to eight points in La Liga
Robert Lewandowski has scored only his second La Liga goal since October as Barcelona beat Cadiz 2-0 to restore their eight-point lead over Real Madrid.
The 34-year-old contributed late in the first half to Sergi Roberto’s opener on Sunday to defeat a Cadiz side who held their own for much of the clash at the Camp Nou, refusing to acknowledge two goals from Roger.
Another goal conceded, Barcelona’s 17th La Liga shutout this season, brings Xavi’s side one step closer to the title and this was their seventh consecutive league win, the third time they have had such a run under their former midfielder’s guidance.
Lewandowski hardly had a chance to score until the 41st minute due to a lack of service, but was unable to finish a Ferran Torres cross cleanly.
The same duo met when Barcelona scored two minutes later. Lewandowski’s ducked header from Torres’ clipped cross was cleared off the line, but only up to Sergi Roberto, who slammed it back into the net from eight yards out.
Lewandowski scored Barca’s second goal, a clinical low shot from 16 yards that took the former Bayern Munich striker to 15th in the league this season.
Earlier, Antoine Griezmann scored for Atlético Madrid in a 1-0 win over Athletic Bilbao, which saw Diego Simeone’s side cement their place in last place in the Champions League.
The goal saw Griezmann dash past two defenders before coming into the box and firing a low shot in the 73rd minute, giving Atletico their fourth win in five league games.
The win puts them four points clear of fifth-placed Real Betis and two points behind third-placed Real Sociedad.
Bilbao, trying to win their third consecutive league game, stayed in seventh place, missing a chance to move closer to European places.
“It was a very important game,” said Griezmann.
“We have to keep going like this, keep getting the wins and the three points.”
It was Griezmann’s second goal in 17 games with Atletico in all competitions.
“I was looking forward to scoring again,” added France international Griezmann.
“These are streaks and I hope to continue this one.”
Elsewhere, Sevilla were held to a 1-1 draw at Rayo Vallecano and Espanyol defeated bottom Elche 1-0 to end a three-game winning streak and move further from the relegation zone.
With DPA.
