BARCELONA PLAYER RATINGS: Marc-Andre Ter Stegen – 6. Hard for him to stop the Viktoria goal, a powerful header from close range. The rest of the action was at the other end in a 5-1 win played in front of another huge crowd of 77,000. Wonder what he makes of the side in front of him since it looks completely different to last season. AFP
BARCELONA PLAYER RATINGS: Marc-Andre Ter Stegen – 6. Hard for him to stop the Viktoria goal, a powerful header from close range. The rest of the action was at the other end in a 5-1 win played in front of another huge crowd of 77,000. Wonder what he makes of the side in front of him since it looks completely different to last season. AFP
Jordi Alba – 7. So long a fixture at left-back, he’s only started one of Barca’s four league games this season. Worked hard, hugged the sideline, got forward and made more key passes than any of his teammate bar the forwards. AP
Jordi Alba – 7. So long a fixture at left-back, he’s only started one of Barca’s four league games this season. Worked hard, hugged the sideline, got forward and made more key passes than any of his teammate bar the forwards. AP
Andreas Christensen – 6. Pushed his defensive line so high that he was frequently midway into the Plzen half. Got an elbow to his face but was accused of pushing Mosquera by the Czech players which led to a VAR review although no penalty given. EPA
Andreas Christensen – 6. Pushed his defensive line so high that he was frequently midway into the Plzen half. Got an elbow to his face but was accused of pushing Mosquera by the Czech players which led to a VAR review although no penalty given. EPA
Jules Kounde – 8. Started in his preferred central defensive role and set up Kessie with a header for the opening goal after meeting a corner. Enjoyed a positive start to his Barcelona career. EPA
Jules Kounde – 8. Started in his preferred central defensive role and set up Kessie with a header for the opening goal after meeting a corner. Enjoyed a positive start to his Barcelona career. EPA
Sergi Roberto – 6. Right back, the captain for the night got right forward after 8 minutes, but not as much as he did after 33, sprinting towards the penalty spot, passing to Lewandowski and making himself available for the return ball. It wasn’t needed. Taken off at half time. Reuters
Sergi Roberto – 6. Right back, the captain for the night got right forward after 8 minutes, but not as much as he did after 33, sprinting towards the penalty spot, passing to Lewandowski and making himself available for the return ball. It wasn’t needed. Taken off at half time. Reuters
Frenkie De Jong – 7. Started in his preferred role just in front of the defence. Looked like a central defender when the defenders split as Barca moved forward. Got in the right positions when he moved forward, but his passes in the final third didn’t always come off as he’d hoped. Getty
Frenkie De Jong – 7. Started in his preferred role just in front of the defence. Looked like a central defender when the defenders split as Barca moved forward. Got in the right positions when he moved forward, but his passes in the final third didn’t always come off as he’d hoped. Getty
Pedri – 7. Almost put his side ahead after combining with Lewandowksi. Smashed a second shot well over after 62. Getty
Pedri – 7. Almost put his side ahead after combining with Lewandowksi. Smashed a second shot well over after 62. Getty
Franck Kessie – 7. Put his side ahead in the 13th minute, heading the ball down between the goalkeeper and post. Saluted the crowd after his first Barca goal and helped the side dominate, with an astonishing 79 per cent of possession. EPA
Franck Kessie – 7. Put his side ahead in the 13th minute, heading the ball down between the goalkeeper and post. Saluted the crowd after his first Barca goal and helped the side dominate, with an astonishing 79 per cent of possession. EPA
Ousmane Dembele – 9. Barca’s most dangerous player, running at and taking on opponents. Struck the corner which led to the opening goal. His best move was winning the ball back against the odds before crossing for the third. His connection with Lewandowski is thriving, but he beat two men to take a shot of his own before he was substituted to an ovation. AP
Ousmane Dembele – 9. Barca’s most dangerous player, running at and taking on opponents. Struck the corner which led to the opening goal. His best move was winning the ball back against the odds before crossing for the third. His connection with Lewandowski is thriving, but he beat two men to take a shot of his own before he was substituted to an ovation. AP
Robert Lewandowski – 10. An incredible performance from an incredible footballer. Pulled around by the Czech captain, yet still scored two first half goals – and smiled throughout. His first, set up by Roberto, his second a header from a Dembele cross. Rounded the keeper on 50 to try and get his hat-trick. That came on 66, curling the ball around the goalkeeper, and he conducted the fans in celebration. He wasn’t finished as he ran back trying for a fourth. Getty
Robert Lewandowski – 10. An incredible performance from an incredible footballer. Pulled around by the Czech captain, yet still scored two first half goals – and smiled throughout. His first, set up by Roberto, his second a header from a Dembele cross. Rounded the keeper on 50 to try and get his hat-trick. That came on 66, curling the ball around the goalkeeper, and he conducted the fans in celebration. He wasn’t finished as he ran back trying for a fourth. Getty
Ansu Fati – 7. Smashed a shot wide on 17 and then hit a weaker shot on target four minutes later. Lively to the left of Lewandowski and while not to Dembele’s level, was worthy of his start. The fans love him and his youth, supporting him after he came back from serious injuries. AP
Ansu Fati – 7. Smashed a shot wide on 17 and then hit a weaker shot on target four minutes later. Lively to the left of Lewandowski and while not to Dembele’s level, was worthy of his start. The fans love him and his youth, supporting him after he came back from serious injuries. AP
SUBS: Gerard Pique (Roberto 45’) – 7. On at half time and resumed the captain’s role. AFP
SUBS: Gerard Pique (Roberto 45’) – 7. On at half time and resumed the captain’s role. AFP
Ferran Torres (Fati 66’) – 8. Set up Lewandowksi’s hat-trick a minute after coming on, then turned to volley Barca’s fifth on 70. AFP
Ferran Torres (Fati 66’) – 8. Set up Lewandowksi’s hat-trick a minute after coming on, then turned to volley Barca’s fifth on 70. AFP
Gavi (Pedri 74’) – 7. One prodigal talent replaces another, though Gavi should learn from Pedri’s better discipline. Reuters
Gavi (Pedri 74’) – 7. One prodigal talent replaces another, though Gavi should learn from Pedri’s better discipline. Reuters
Memphis Depay (Dembele 74’) – 6. Minutes for a player who isn’t getting enough and who would have been allowed to leave in the close season. AFP
Memphis Depay (Dembele 74’) – 6. Minutes for a player who isn’t getting enough and who would have been allowed to leave in the close season. AFP
Pablo Torre (Kessie 80’) 6. The 19-year-old midfielder who signed from Racing Santander for €5m in March got his first minutes in the Champions League. AP
Pablo Torre (Kessie 80’) 6. The 19-year-old midfielder who signed from Racing Santander for €5m in March got his first minutes in the Champions League. AP

Sport

Football

Barcelona player ratings v Viktoria Plzen: Lewandowski 10, Dembele 9, Kounde 8

Catalans open Champions League campaign with emphatic 5-1 win at Camp Nou

Andy Mitten
Andy Mitten

September 08, 2022

  • English
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Robert Lewandowski struck a hat-trick in his first Champions League game for Barcelona to power the Catalans to an emphatic 5-1 home win over Viktoria Plzen on Wednesday.

Midfielder Franck Kessie put Barca in front in the 13th minute and Lewandowski extended their lead with a right-footed finish into the bottom corner in the 37th.

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Robert Lewandowski hits hat-trick as Barcelona crush Viktoria Plzen

The Poland striker produced a diving header from an Ousmane Dembele cross to score again in first-half stoppage time and restore Barca's two-goal cushion after Jan Sykora's header had pulled the Czech champions back into contention.

Lewandowski completed his treble midway through the second period, meeting a layoff from Ferran Torres and curling the ball inside the far post with one touch.

Torres completed a hugely satisfying evening for Xavi Hernandez's side by scoring the fifth goal to put Barca top of Group C. They head to Lewandowski's former club Bayern Munich next on September 13, when Plzen host Inter Milan.

Assessing the performances from Camp Nou, Andy Mitten has provided his player ratings in the photo gallery above. To move on to the next photo, click on the arrows or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.

The specs

Engine: four-litre V6 and 3.5-litre V6 twin-turbo

Transmission: six-speed and 10-speed

Power: 271 and 409 horsepower

Torque: 385 and 650Nm

Price: from Dh229,900 to Dh355,000

SPECS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%202-litre%20direct%20injection%20turbo%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%207-speed%20automatic%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20261hp%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20400Nm%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20From%20Dh134%2C999%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
MATCH INFO

What: 2006 World Cup quarter-final
When: July 1
Where: Gelsenkirchen Stadium, Gelsenkirchen, Germany

Result:
England 0 Portugal 0
(Portugal win 3-1 on penalties)

Tearful appearance

Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday. 

Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow. 

She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.

A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.

Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
  • Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
  • Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
  • Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
  • Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
  • Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
  • Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
  • Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
Updated: September 08, 2022, 4:21 AM`
Robert LewandowskiBarcelonaChampions League