Robert Lewandowski scored his first goal for Barcelona after only 44 seconds in a 3-1 victory over Real Sociedad as part of a birthday brace.
The hosts, who forced Marc Andre Ter Stegen into some fine saves and had a second-half goal ruled out for offside, equalized quickly through Aleksander Isak.
Ansu Fati came off the bench to provide two assists in six minutes, allowing Ousmane Dembele and Robert Lewandowski to break Barcelona’s three-game losing streak.
After Lewandowski returned the favor, the Spaniard added his name to the scoresheet, coolly slotting home to ensure Catalonia took all three points.
Barcelona’s barren streak of 360 minutes without a goal came to an end with Lewandowski steering home after Alejandro Balde led a counter-attack for the visitors on his birthday to celebrate with his first LaLiga goal.
However, it only took the hosts five minutes to respond, with Frenkie de Jong being dispossessed in midfield and David Silva feeding through Isak, who saw his finish loft over Marc Andre ter Stegen’s head after a deflection off Eric Garcia.
The hosts thought they had taken the lead seven minutes after the restart when Brais Mendez’s free-kick found its way past Ter Stegen, but the offside flag was raised because Robin Le Normand obstructed the German’s view.
Fati made an immediate impact after coming on, backheeling into Dembele’s path and drilling home into the far corner, then tapping a pass to Lewandowski to make it three.
Lewandowski then turned provider for Fati, flicking the ball through for the Spaniard to slot home and secure the season’s first victory.
What does it imply? Barcelona is finally firing.
Barcelona have never gone four LaLiga matches without scoring, and while Lewandowski’s quick strike ensured that statistic, Xavi’s side were far from thrilling in the first half.
When they did get going, Barcelona were ruthless, scoring on four of their seven shots on goal, which, given that two of them were tame attempts from Lewandowski, paints a much more encouraging picture.
Slow starts will continue to be an issue, as will the manner in which Isak scored after Silva robbed De Jong of possession in midfield.
Xavi’s monster sub
The game’s turning point came on 62 minutes, when Xavi introduced Fati and Raphinha, and the former inspired a previously toothless side to show their teeth.
Fati set up Dembele and Lewandowski in quick succession before striking himself, finishing the game with two assists and a goal, completing 15 of 18 pass attempts, seven of which came in the final third.
Isak by himself
Isak’s fortuitous equalizer was the only notable moment for the Swedish striker, who struggled to establish any sort of foothold in the game before being replaced in the second half.
The 22-year-old received fewer touches than any other player who started the game, lost possession 12 times, and entered the final third only once.
What comes next?
Real Valladolid visit Barcelona on Sunday, while Real Sociedad travel to Elche the day before.