Lewandowski Brace Powers Barcelona to Dominant 4-0 Win Over Athletic Bilbao on Historic Camp Nou Return

 Barcelona Secure Convincing 4-0 Victory Over Athletic Bilbao in Emotional Camp Nou Return

 FC Barcelona marked their long-awaited return to the revamped Spotify Camp Nou with a dominant 4-0 triumph over Athletic Bilbao in La Liga's Matchday 13, propelling the Catalan giants to the summit of the 2025-26 standings.

In a match that blended nostalgia with clinical efficiency, Hansi Flick's side dismantled a resilient yet outmatched Bilbao outfit, showcasing the attacking flair that has defined their season. The Blaugrana's performance was a fitting celebration of the stadium's reopening, drawing an electric crowd that hadn't filled the iconic venue since 2023 due to ongoing renovations.

The scoring began early, with Barcelona asserting control from the outset. In the 14th minute, Fermín López played a brilliant through ball to find Robert Lewandowski all alone inside the box, allowing the Polish striker to chip Athletic Bilbao's Unai Simón and open the scoring with his 100th career goal for the club. Just four minutes later, a corner from Raphinha was deflected at the near post by Bilbao's Unai Gómez, leaving Lewandowski unmarked at the far post to head home his second of the night and double Barcelona's lead. Lamine Yamal's incisive run and precise assist then set up Ferran Torres for the third goal shortly after halftime, a right-footed finish from the edge of the box that ignited the home faithful following a brief VAR review—establishing a rhythm of possession dominance, with Barcelona holding 68% of the ball at halftime.

The second half saw Barcelona's firepower unleashed further, as the hosts capitalized on Bilbao's defensive lapses. In the 72nd minute, Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres combined for a delightful fourth goal, with Yamal's clever interplay feeding Torres to slot home and seal the comprehensive victory, leaving Athletic Bilbao's defense hapless and unable to mount a meaningful response.

This result catapults Barcelona to 31 points, edging out rivals Real Madrid at the top of the table and underscoring their title credentials midway through the campaign. For Athletic Bilbao, the defeat highlights ongoing struggles, following a mixed run that includes recent losses to Newcastle United and Real Sociedad.

Manager Hansi Flick praised his team's composure post-match, noting the emotional weight of the Camp Nou homecoming: "This win is for the fans who've waited so patiently. We're building something special here." Bilbao's Ernesto Valverde, meanwhile, lamented his side's inability to convert limited opportunities, urging a swift recovery ahead of their next fixture.

Barcelona's next challenge comes against a mid-table opponent in La Liga, where they will aim to extend their lead.