SRobert Lewandowski dedicated a first competitive goal for FC Barcelona to a special addressee. “These are for my father, who is watching me from above,” said the world footballer after his two goals in the Catalans’ 4-1 win at Real Sociedad San Sebastián on Sunday evening. His father Krzysztof died of cancer when Lewandowski was 16 years old. The Pole wrote on Instagram early Monday morning about his successful performance in San Sebastian: “What a night!”
The top scorer switched from FC Bayern Munich to Barcelona after a long transfer theater before the start of the season. On his 34th birthday, he entered the top scorers list in the Spanish Primera División for the first time. After just 44 seconds he scored with his left foot, and in the 68th minute he was successful with his right.
After the game, Lewandowski praised “the hard work of the whole team and the will to win that we had after drawing in the first game of the season”. It is only a matter of time before the team develops a better understanding of each other. “It’s a great team with young players and others who have more experience and try to give advice,” said Lewandowski.
The other Barcelona goals in San Sebastian were provided by Ousmane Dembélé (66th) and Ansu Fati (79th), who was once employed by Borussia Dortmund. In the table, Barcelona jumped up to fifth with four points. “It’s a nice win and we’re happy. Robert Lewandowski and Ansu Fati help us a lot,” Dembele said, adding: “It’s better to play with Robert than against him.”
Another was even faster than Lewandowski: French world champion Kylian Mbappé caused a stir in Ligue 1 again and set the record for the fastest goal in the league. The 23-year-old scored for Paris Saint-Germain after just over eight seconds to put them 1-0 ahead at OSC Lille on Sunday evening.
Mbappé lobbed the ball over goalkeeper Léo Jardim after a long pass from six-time world footballer Lionel Messi from the center circle. The Paris star ensemble finally won the game 7-1 (4-0). After goals from Messi (27th minute), Achraf Hakimi (38th) and Neymar (42nd and 51st), Mbappé (65th and 86th) also scored twice more. According to Ligue 1 officials, Mbappé’s first goal was the fastest in France’s elite division since February 1992, when Michel Rio also scored after eight seconds for SM Caen against AS Cannes.