![Robert Lewandowski scores against Valencia with a header](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/624/cpsprodpb/14108/production/_133248128_robertlewandowski.jpg)
Barcelona cruised to victory thanks to Robert Lewandowski’s second-half hat-trick after Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili was sent off.
The hosts, who are on the cusp of relinquishing the La Liga title to Real Madrid despite the victory, took the lead when Fermin Lopez struck.
Hudo Duro soon levelled then Pepelu’s penalty gave Valencia the lead.
But they had Mamardashvili sent off just before half-time and the 35-year-old Poland striker took full advantage.
Lewandowski equalised early in the second half with a header then nodded in a rebound before getting his third from a free-kick in added time.
Barcelona remain second in La Liga, 11 points behind Real Madrid with five games remaining.
Valencia stay eighth and face a battle to qualify for Europe next season as they lie four points behind sixth-place Real Sociedad.
Line-ups
Barcelona
Formation 4-3-3
- 1ter Stegen
- 23Koundé
- 4Araujo
- 33CubarsíBooked at 42minsSubstituted forMartínezat 45′minutes
- 2CanceloSubstituted forF Torresat 80′minutes
- 22Gündogan
- 15ChristensenSubstituted forRobertoat 45′minutes
- 16LópezSubstituted forPedriat 73′minutes
- 27Yamal
- 9Lewandowski
- 11RaphinhaSubstituted forJoão Félixat 66′minutes
Substitutes
- 5Martínez
- 7F Torres
- 8Pedri
- 13Peña Sotorres
- 14João Félix
- 17Alonso
- 18Romeu
- 19Roque Ferreira
- 20Roberto
- 30Casadó
- 31Kochen
- 39Fort
Valencia
Formation 4-4-2
- 25MamardashviliBooked at 45mins
- 12Rendall Correia
- 3Mosquera
- 34Gasiorowski
- 21Vázquez
- 11GonzálezSubstituted forÖzkacarat 79′minutes
- 8GuerraSubstituted forGuillamónat 71′minutes
- 18García Vayá
- 16LópezSubstituted forCanósat 79′minutes
- 10Ribeiro AlmeidaSubstituted forDomènechat 45+6′minutes
- 9DuroSubstituted forMaríat 70′minutes
Substitutes
- 1Domènech
- 6Guillamón
- 7Canós
- 13Rivero
- 15Özkacar
- 19Amallah
- 22Marí
- 31Iranzo
- 47Otorbi
- Referee:
- Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea
- Attendance:
- 30,167
Live Text
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Match ends, Barcelona 4, Valencia 2.
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Second Half ends, Barcelona 4, Valencia 2.
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Goal! Barcelona 4, Valencia 2. Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona) from a free kick with a right footed shot to the top left corner.
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Ferran Torres (Barcelona) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Thierry Correia (Valencia).
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Attempt blocked. Ferran Torres (Barcelona) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Ronald Araujo with a headed pass.
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Corner, Barcelona. Conceded by Cenk Özkacar.
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Foul by João Félix (Barcelona).
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Hugo Guillamón (Valencia) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Attempt blocked. João Félix (Barcelona) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
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Attempt saved. Ronald Araujo (Barcelona) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Ilkay Gündogan with a cross.
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Corner, Barcelona. Conceded by Thierry Correia.
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Attempt blocked. Ferran Torres (Barcelona) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by João Félix.
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Goal! Barcelona 3, Valencia 2. Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona) header from very close range to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Ronald Araujo following a corner.
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Attempt saved. Ronald Araujo (Barcelona) header from very close range is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Ilkay Gündogan with a cross.
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Corner, Barcelona. Conceded by Hugo Guillamón.
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Substitution, Barcelona. Ferran Torres replaces João Cancelo.
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Attempt missed. Jules Koundé (Barcelona) right footed shot from the right side of the box is too high. Assisted by Lamine Yamal.
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Substitution, Valencia. Cenk Özkacar replaces Peter González.
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Substitution, Valencia. Sergi Canós replaces Diego López.