Spain: Barça gets back on track against Alavés with a hat-trick from Lewandowski

We found "Lewangoalski"! Author of a hat-trick in just over 30 minutes, Polish striker Robert Lewandowski allowed FC Barcelona to win without trembling (3-0) at Alavés on Sunday and regain a three-point lead at the top of La Liga. With this away win, Barça (1st, 24 points) resumes its march forward after its first defeat of the season against Osasuna (4-2) last weekend. The Catalan club is assured of spending the international break in first place with eight wins in nine matches, ahead of its great rival Real Madrid (2nd, 21 points), the reigning champion.FC Barcelona once again relied on their star striker Robert Lewandowski, who consolidated his status as the Liga's top scorer with three goals in just over half an hour of play (7th, 22nd, 32nd), on assists from Raphinha and Eric Garcia.The 36-year-old Pole now has ten goals in nine league games, and twelve in eleven matches in all competitions.- Atlético (still) too cautious -Later on Sunday, Atlético Madrid, leading from the 55th second of play bu t too much in control, ended up being caught at the end of the match on the pitch of Real Sociedad (1-1), letting new points slip in the race for the title.The Colchoneros, perfectly launched at the very start of the game by the Argentinian striker Julian Alvarez, well served by a subtle backheel from Antoine Griezmann (1st, 1-0), then refused to play and were punished a few minutes from the end by a huge strike from the Croatian Luka Sucic (84th, 1-1).This point of the draw, well deserved for the Basques, nevertheless allows Atlético (3rd, 17 points) to come back level with Villarreal (4th, 17 points) and to climb on the podium on goal difference, but already seven points behind FC Barcelona (1st, 24 points, and four behind Real (2nd, 21 points).Real Sociedad (15th, 9 points), who have only two wins in nine games, remain stuck in the second half of the table, far from the European places.After six consecutive games without a win, Girona returned to winning ways against Athletic Bilbao (2-1) at the en d of a crazy match which saw the Basques miss three penalties.The small Catalan club, who pushed at the end of the second half to win, saw their efforts rewarded at the end of added time with a penalty converted by veteran Cristhian Stuani, 37 (90th + 9, 2-1).Michel's men opened the scoring through Colombian winger Yaser Asprilla (39th) before being pegged back just before half-time following a fine move by Spanish midfielder Oihan Sancet (41st), who went off with a left thigh injury shortly after.This victory allows Girona (11th, 12 points) to get back on track after a poor start to the season, while Athletic Bilbao (6th, 14 points) loses its fifth place to its neighbours Osasuna (5th, 15 points).In the other clash of the day, Sevilla FC (12th, 12 points) won the Andalusian derby (1-0) against their rivals Betis (10th, 12 points), thanks to a penalty from Belgian Dodi Lukebakio.Source: Burkina Information Agency