Lewandowski strikes again as Barcelona continue perfect start with Getafe win

A first-half Robert Lewandowski goal was enough for Barcelona to continue their perfect start in La Liga with a 1-0 victory against Getafe.

Hansi Flick’s young side almost rued missing a host of chances, though, as with the last kick of the match, Getafe substitute Borja Mayoral fired wide.

Polish forward Lewandowski could have doubled his side’s lead before the break only to be denied by the visitors’ goalkeeper David Soria.

Soria was also on hand to tip a glorious effort from teenage sensation Lamine Yamal over the crossbar in the second half.

Yamal then hit the crossbar as he capitalised on a tiring Getafe defence, and Barcelona skipper Raphinha had chances to secure the points. However, Barcelona will breathe a sigh of relief as they sit four points clear at the summit of La Liga.

Despite controlling possession, Flick’s young side showed weaknesses in defence, as they head to Osasuna this weekend looking to make it eight league wins on the bounce.

Meanwhile, Getafe have just four points to their name from seven matches but will be encouraged by another strong defensive performance.

Getafe have home games against Alaves and Osasuna next, when they will hope to pick up a first league win of 2024/25.

Despite having a perfect La Liga record of seven wins in as many matches, Barcelona are masking a host of injury problems.

Hansi Flick is without eight members of his squad through injury, including first-choice goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

Also amongst those missing are Andreas Christensen, Frenkie de Jong, Gavi and Dani Olmo. However, with 36-year-old striker Lewandowski scoring his seventh goal in as many matches, the young Barcelona side keep winning in La Liga.

The 17-year-old forward was a bundle of energy who kept the Getafe defenders on their toes all evening.

Yamal almost scored his side’s second goal before seeing his effort tipped over by goalkeeper David Soria. The teenager kept creating chances for his side until the 90th minute and was hard to handle for a good Getafe defence.

Barcelona: Pena 6, Balde 8, Casado 7, Cubarsi 6, Garcia 7, Kounde 7, Lewandowski 8, Martinez 7, Raphinha 7, Torre 7, Yamal 8. Subs: Fort 6, Martin 6, Torres 6, Pedri 6

Getafe: Soria 8, Alderete 7, Alena 7, Berrocal 7, Djene 6, Iglesias 7, Milla 6, Perez 8, Santiago 6, Sola 6, Uche 6. Subs: Arambarri 7, Keita 6, Mayoral 6, Rico 6, Yildirim 6

8′ – PEREZ HAS HEADER SAVED: The first chance of the game falls to Getafe. Soler is involved with a battle with Yamal and is judged to be legally shrugged off his marker. His cross is met by the head of Perez and forces Pena into a decent save

19′ – GOAL! BARCELONA 1 (LEWANDOWSKI) GETAFE 0: An overlapping run by Kounde gets to the byline. Goalkeeper Soria tries to snatch the ball but drops it down to Lewandowski, who gratefully scores.

33′ – SORIA MAKES SAVE: Lewandowski is onside this time around as he receives the ball inside the box before sending a low effort goalwards. However, Getafe goalkeeper Soria is equal to effort saving with his legs.

59′ – YAMAL EFFORT TIPPED OVER: Getafe fail to close down Yamal on the edge of the box. The forward takes the invitation but his effort is tipped out of the top corner by goalkeeper Soria.

71′ SORIA MAKES FINE SAVE AND YAMAL HITS BAR: A looping Raphinha free-kick finds a gap around the side of the wall but is met by a flying Soria save. From the resulting corner, the ball comes out for Yamal, whose effort clips the top of the crossbar.

82′ – RAPHINHA HEADS WIDE UNMARKED: Raphinha meets a perfect Kounde cross and all he has to do is direct the header goalwards. However, the Barcelona skipper can only guide his header wide.

90+5′ BIG GETAFE CHANCE AT DEATH: With time running out, a cross into the box finds Mayoral unmarked but he can only slide his effort wide.