Robert Lewandowski hit a hat-trick to help Barcelona beat Celta Vigo 4-2 on Sunday in La Liga and cut Real Madrid’s lead down to three points.
The veteran Polish striker’s treble helped Hansi Flick’s side capitalise on Los Blancos’ 0-0 draw earlier on at Rayo Vallecano.
Teenager Lamine Yamal also scored for Barca in another gripping game produced by the champions’ attacking approach, and Marcus Rashford produced two more assists.
Frenkie de Jong was sent off late on for Barca for two yellow cards but by then the champions had secured their victory to move second.
Lewandowski has had a stop-start beginning of the season because of injury and Flick said his hat-trick would boost his confidence.
“After the injury I can see a different Robert Lewandowski, he’s positive, he came back very early,” Flick told reporters.
“For him, for his confidence, it’s great to score three goals today.”
Lewandowski said the game was “one of the craziest” of the season, but was happy with the result.