Lewandowski scores twice, Barça rebounds from 'clásico' loss

Barcelona needed only seven minutes to get back on track in the Spanish league

Barcelona needed only seven minutes to get back on track in the Spanish league.

After losing to Real Madrid in the “clásico” on Sunday, Barcelona rebounded by scoring three goals in a seven-minute span in the first half of a 3-0 win over Villarreal on Thursday.

Robert Lewandowski scored in the 31st and 35th minutes, and Ansu Fati added one in the 38th to give Barcelona the victory and move the Catalan club back within three points of defending champion Madrid.

Madrid had taken its lead to six points after a 3-0 win at last-place Elche on Wednesday. The rivals had entered the first “clásico” of the season tied on points and Madrid won 3-1 at the Bernabéu to take sole possession of first place.

Sunday’s loss had compounded Barcelona’s disappointment after it saw its hopes of advancing in the Champions League all but end with a 3-3 home draw against Inter Milan last week.

“After the bad results against Inter and Madrid we needed a victory,” Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong said. “Winning always helps to boost the team’s morale in the locker room.”

Coach Xavi Hernández said Barcelona had to quickly change its dynamics, and the squad responded.