Cadiz vs. Barcelona result, highlights as Lewandowski scores again to help Barca to road win

Graham Ruthven

Cadiz vs. Barcelona result, highlights as Lewandowski scores again to help Barca to road win image

Robert Lewandowski continued his goal-scoring form as Barcelona went top of La Liga with a 4-0 win at Cadiz in a Liga match that was suspended for nearly an hour due to a medical emergency in the stands at the Estadio Nuevo Mirandilla.

Visiting manager Xavi Hernandez made a number of changes to the team that beat Viktoria Plzen in the Champions League on Wednesday, with Hector Bellerin handed his debut and Lewandowski starting on the bench. 

Cadiz began strongly and could have taken the lead through Ruben Sobrino before Raphinha struck the base of the post for Barca, having been set up by Gavi.

Barca had a strong but unsuccessful penalty claim turned down when Alex Balde was brought down inside the area by Ivan Alejo.

The breakthrough finally came after 55 minutes when Frenkie de Jong was in the right place at the right time to sweep home a finish from inside the box after good work by Gavi from the byline.

Lewandowski came off the bench and doubled Barcelona’s advantage 10 minutes later, bundling into the net from close range after De Jong failed to convert Raphinha’s cross.

Substitute Marcos Alonso also made his Barca debut after joining from Chelsea in a match suspended with 10 minutes remaining because of an incident involving a supporter who suffered a heart attack in the stands. After undergoing on-site treatment, the individual was transported to the hospital.

MORE: Updated list of top goal scorers in 2022/23 La Liga season

Nearly an hour passed before the match restarted, and Barcelona scored for a third time four minutes after the resumption when Lewandowski set up Ansu Fati for a straightforward finish into an empty net.

Ousmane Dembele added a fourth in stoppage time as Barcelona leapfrogged Real Madrid into the top spot in La Liga. Xavi's side have 13 points from five games while Madrid are perfect after four matches with a game in hand at home to Mallorca in Sunday.

De Jong and Bellerin show their quality

De Jong was made to feel unwanted by Barcelona over the summer, with Manchester United repeatedly linked to the Netherlands midfielder and his club seemingly willing to sell. However, this was a performance that demonstrated his quality and showed what he can bring to this Barca team.

With Pedri rested, De Jong was charged with collecting the ball from deep and driving Barcelona forward. Cadiz played at a high tempo in the first half, but De Jong kept Barca in control of the match and capped an impressive display by opening the scoring.

Bellerin came through La Masia, but has only now made his senior Barcelona debut after returning to the Camp Nou on September 1. The 27-year-old’s career has stagnated in recent years but he looked back to his best as he had a hand in both Barca goals in the second half.

Xavi allowed Sergino Dest to leave Barcelona for AC Milan on transfer deadline day, and on this showing the Catalans have a strong solution at right-back. Bellerin’s attacking instincts work well in this Barca team. He could be set for a good season at the Camp Nou.

Barca ready for Bayern

A number of key players, including Lewandowski and Dembele, were initially rested with Xavi clearly focusing on the Champions League trip to Bayern Munich on Tuesday.

And on this showing, the Catalans are ready to face the German champions.

Barcelona made so many signings over the summer that it wasn’t clear whether Xavi would be able to forge a strong team unit.

The club legend's signings have started the season well and will fancy their chances of imposing their own game on the reigning German champions.

Cadiz vs. Barcelona final result

  1H 2H Final
Cadiz 0 0 0
Barcelona 0 4 4

Goals:
BAR — Frenkie de Jong — 55th min.
BAR — Robert Lewandowski — 65th min.
BAR — Ansu Fati (Robert Lewandowski) — 86th min.
BAR — Ousmane Dembele (Robert Lewandowski) — 90+2' min.

Cadiz vs. Barcelona live updates, highlights from La Liga

93rd+ min.: FULL TIME! Cadiz 0-4 Barcelona — A dominant performance in the end by Barcelona but this match may be remembered for the medical emergency in the stands that saw the game suspended for close to an hour.

91st+ min.: GOAL! Cadiz 0 Barcelona 4 (90+1' Dembele) — Dembele scores the fourth! He dribbled into the Cadiz box, cut back on to his left foot and unleashed a strike which went through the goalkeeper.

90th min.: There will be three minutes of stoppage time played at the end of the match.

88th min.: If the result was in any doubt before the restart, it isn't now. That was excellent No. 9 play by Lewandowski, The timing of the run, the strength and then the vision to spot Ansu running alongside him in a better position.

86th min.: GOAL! Cadiz 0 Barcelona 3 (86' Ansu) — Play resumes after being halted for almost an hour because of the emergency in the stands.

Lewandowski is played in behind the Cadiz high line by Dembele, holds off the challenge of the defender and squares the pass for Ansu to finish into the back of the empty net. Very unselfish by Lewandowski!

83rd min.: Barcelona will need to keep their focus here. It would be easy for their minds to wander after such a lengthy delay. They have a two-goal lead and have been the better of the two teams so far.

81st min.: Nearly one hour after the match was paused, play gets back underway. There will be around 10-15 minutes left to play in this game. The clock has been reset back to what it was when the match was suspended.

Suspension: MATCH SUSPENDED! The referee has now made the decision to send the players to the dressing rooms while the medical emergency continues. We'll bring you updates as soon as there is any further news.

Match Delay: The match has been stopped for three to four minutes due to an issue in the stands behind one of the goals. It was not immediately clear what was happening, but news eventually came through about a health emergency involving one of the supporters.

79th min.: Alonso comes on for his Barcelona debut after making the switch from Chelsea in the summer transfer window. That change probably confirms that Balde will start at left-back against Bayern Munich in the Champions League next week.

78th min.: Balde OFF, Alonso ON for Barcelona

75th min.: Raphinha OFF, Ansu ON for Barcelona

74th min.: Sobrino, Fede and Lucas OFF, Negredo, Alcaraz and Mabil ON for Cadiz

72nd min.: De Jong is the 10th player to have scored for Barcelona this season. They are dangerous in so many different areas of the pitch. Meanwhile, Cadiz are still searching for their first goal of the season.

69th min.: RAPHINHA... over! That would have been a stunning goal. Raphinha took down a long ball, then flicked the ball inside to set himself up for the shot. However, the Barcelona winger struck over the target.

68th min.: After saying Bellerin had been quiet in the first half, he has since been involved in both Barcelona goals and has shown the quality he can offer the Catalans down the right side.

65th min.: GOAL! Cadiz 0 Barcelona 2 (65' Lewandowski) — He's been on the pitch for seven minutes and Lewandowski has already scored! Bellerin played in Raphinha, he squared it for De Jong, and the ball popped out for Lewandowski to bundle home from close range.

63rd min.: Busquets with the shot! The ball falls to the edge of the box after some intricate play by Pedri inside the area, but Busquets lashes over the top. Barcelona have upped the speed of their play in the final third since the changes were made.

60th min.: Cadiz subs: Alex and Alejo OFF, Alarcon and Bongonda ON

59th min.: De Jong deserved that goal. He has been the best Barcelona player on the pitch. Ferran Torres, on the other hand, will be disappointed with how he played. This was an opportunity for him and the former Manchester City attacker didn't really take it.

57th min.: Barcelona subs — Ferran Torres and Gavi OFF, Pedri and Lewandowski ON.

55th min.: GOAL! Cadiz 0 Barcelona 1 (55' de Jong) — The breakthrough has been made! Gavi made a great run to the byline, he cut the cross into the six yard box, Ledesma palmed it out into danger and de Jong was in the right place at the right time to sweep home the finish!

53rd min.: Over the bar! A freekick delivery by Lucas falls to Fede inside the area, but he never got over the top of the shot and the ball flies over the top of the crossbar! That was a good opportunity for Cadiz to find the back of the net in this second half.

52nd min.: BOOKING — Busquets (Barcelona). He brings down Alejo and that's a clear yellow card for the Barca midfielder.

50th min.: Raphinha struck the post and Balde had a solid penalty claim turned down, but Barcelona struggled to test Ledesma in the Cadiz goal in the first half. That has to change in the second period.

48th min.: No changes made to the Barcelona team by Xavi, but you'd have to think that Lewandowski would come off the bench if this is still the scoreline at the hour mark. The Catalans have still to find a way through the home team.

46th min.: The second half is under way! It's still goalless between Cadiz and Barcelona.

Half-time: Cadiz 0, Barcelona 0

Half-time: We're still waiting for the breakthrough in this match. Barcelona have seen more of the ball, but Cadiz have shown they carry a threat on the break.

46th+ min.: Ledesma is called into action to palm away a Memphis cross into the box. It was one of those crosses that missed everyone in the middle and would have bounced into the far corner of the net had it not been for the intervention of the goalkeeper.

45th min.: There will be three minutes of stoppage time at the end of the first half.

43rd min.: The referee has now come over to the touchline to talk to Xavi and ask him to calm down. The Barcelona manager had been in the ear of the fourth official.

41st min.: Xavi isn't happy with the officials. He is still arguing, with some justification, that Balde should have been awarded a penalty kick for being brought down inside the area by Alejo. Cadiz have been rather physical with Barcelona in some of their tackles.

38th min.: Penalty claim! Balde is taken down inside the box by Alejo and that very much looked like a penalty kick. However, the referee shakes his head and play continues.

37th min.: What a chance! That should have been a Barcelona goal. Araujo headed a cross back across goal, but Memphis somehow managed to stick his shot wide of the target when he had time and space to find the back of the Cadiz net!

35th min.: Bellerin is finally making his senior debut for Barcelona this evening, but he's been rather quiet so far. Most of Barca's play has been channeled down the left side.

32nd min.: It's very warm in Andalusia and so the players are currently having a cooling break. It's been a more open first half than many would have anticipated. Cadiz are more than playing their part in the contest.

27th min.: The home team will be happy with how this first half has panned out so far. Barcelona have struck the post through Raphinha, but with the exception of that opportunity Cadiz have looked comfortable and have defended well against the Catalans.

25th min.: Cadiz are doing their best to keep the intensity of the match high and Barcelona are relying on players like De Jong to keep hold of the ball. The Dutch midfielder is very press-resistant and has seen plenty of the ball in the opening 25 minutes.

22nd min.: Wasteful! A cross from the left wing bounces through to Raphinha at the back post, but he sends his half-volley wildly over the bar when he might have been better taking a touch to control before getting the shot away on goal.

20th min.: Lucas is giving Barcelona problems whenever Cadiz have the ball. He has the pace to trouble the Barca backline. He's also experienced and won't be overawed by the task of playing a team as strong as the Catalans. This time, though, his freekick is caught by ter Stegen. 

18th min.: De Jong is seeing plenty of the ball in the opening exchanges of the match. The Dutch midfielder is the one charged with picking up possession in deep areas of the pitch and driving it forward. 

15th min.: BOOKING — Raphinha (Barcelona). The first yellow card of the match is shown to Raphinha for tripping Lucas on the counter attack.

12th min.: This is better from Barcelona. They appear to have settled following the fast start by Cadiz and are now taking a grip of the ball in the centre of the pitch. The hosts are now having to sit deep.

10th min.: Off the post! Gavi comes striding forward to the edge of the Cadiz box, he fees the pass out to Raphinha on the right who gives the goalkeeper the eyes, but strikes the bottom of the post! Ledesma then makes a low save to deny Memphis.

8th min.: This has been an energetic start by Cadiz who are pressing high on Barcelona and doing their best to prevent the visitors from playing out from the back. Barca haven't yet found their flow.

4th min.: Shot! This has been a very positive start by Cadiz, Sobrino has the shot from inside the box, it's blocked and Barcelona scramble it away. The flag was raised for an offside, but the replays show it was the wrong call. The goal would have stood!

3rd min.: Cadiz are unbeaten in the four league matches they have played against Barcelona since promotion, but they are currently rooted to the bottom of La Liga and are struggling for form early on this season.

1st min.: The match is underway! Cadiz are in all-yellow, while Barcelona are in their grey away kit.

5 mins to KO: Not long until kick off. Can Barcelona continue their impressive start to the season or can Cadiz cause an upset in front of their own fans?

15 mins to KO: A win for Barcelona against Cadiz would take them to the top of the La Liga table on 13 points from five fixtures. Real Madrid will face Real Mallorca at home tomorrow afternoon. Is this the beginning of a title race in Spain this season?

30 mins to KO: Xavi needed a right back after the departure of Sergino Dest on loan to AC Milan and Bellerin arrived to fill that gap. The former Arsenal full back came back La Masia and now has the chance to prove himself for the Catalan club.

45 mins to KO: Barcelona XI - Ter Stegen - Balde, Pique, Araujo, Bellerin - Busquets, de Jong, Gavi - Raphinha, Memphis, F. Torres

Xavi makes a number of changes to his Barcelona team for this match with Bellerin handed his senior debut for the club. Lewandowski has also been rested from the start.

60 mins to KO: Cadiz XI: Ledesma — Zaldua, Hernandez, Mamadou, Espino — Alex, Sobrino, Fede, Ocampo — Alejo, Lucas

No sign of Lozano up front for Cadiz who will look to take the game to Barcelona. They are an attacking outfit and will try to impose their own style of play.

1hr 15 mins mins to KO: The omens are good for Barca ahead of this match. They are unbeaten in their last 17 away matches in La Liga. The Catalans have won by a three-goal margin or more in each of their last three league games. Cadiz have also lost their last four league matches. 

1hr 30 mins to KO: Barcelona come into this match on the back of a 5-1 win over Viktoria Plzen in the Champions League. Lewandowski scored a hat trick in that game and the Polish striker has quickly settled into his new surroundings at the Camp Nou. What a striker!

2 hrs mins to KO: Last time these clubs matched up, Barcelona suffered a shock 1-0 loss at home, part of a wider run of defeats at the Camp Nou that provoked concern among the fanbase during last season's final stretch. The Blaugrana have turned things around in a big way since then, and the squad will be thirsting for revenge after a string of negative results against the Yellow Submarine.

Cadiz vs. Barcelona lineups, team news

Cadiz manager Sergio Gonzalez only took over the club back in January, and while he steered the club to safety last season, barely, the new campaign has a nervous feel to it already. Four straight defeats to zero have the former Deportivo la Coruna midfielder desperately tinkering to find the right formula.

Lucas Perez has been selected over Alvaro Negredo and Choco Lozano to lead the line for the home team. Ruben Alcaraz and Jon Ander are both missing for Cadiz due to knee injuries, depleting the Cadiz midfield.

Cadiz starting lineup (4-4-2, right to left): Ledesma (GK) — Zaldua, Hernandez, Mamadou, Espino — Alex, Sobrino, Fede, Ocampo — Alejo, Lucas

Xavi rested a few key players during the midweek Champions League match against Viktoria Plzen, but for the most part the starting lineup was deployed. Here, though, Barcelona have made a number of changes with the Champions League match against Bayern Munich looming next week.

Hector Bellerin has been handed his senior debut for the Camp Nou club with Robert Lewandowski rested. Gerard Pique also comes into the lineup.

Barcelona starting lineup (4-3-3): Ter Stegen (GK) — Balde, Pique, Araujo, Bellerin — Busquets, de Jong, Gavi — Raphinha, Memphis, F. Torres

Cadiz vs. Barcelona TV channel, live stream

  UK USA Canada Australia
Date Sat, Sept. 10 Sat, Sept. 10 Sat, Sept. 10 Sun, Sept. 11
Time 17:30 BST 12:30 ET 12:30 ET 02:30 AET
TV channel Premier Sports 1,
La Liga TV
TSN 4
Streaming Premier Player HD,
Amazon Prime
ESPN+ TSN app/site,
TSN Direct
Optus Sport

UK: Saturday's match between Cadiz and Barcelona from the Estadio Nuevo Mirandilla can be watched on Premier Sports 1 or La Liga TV, with streaming available via Premier Player and on Amazon Prime via LaLigaTV.

USA: All La Liga fixtures in the United States are carried in England and Spanish by ESPN's premium streaming service ESPN+.

Canada: In Canada, La Liga matches are broadcast and streamed by La Liga rightsholder TSN.

Australia: In Australia, La Liga matches are streamed by La Liga partner Optus Sport.

Graham Ruthven