Robert Lewandowski scores first goal of the season

Barça's first goalscorer of 2022/23 is Robert Lewandowski. The Polish striker needed just 44 seconds to break the deadlock at the Reale Arena with a professionally executed finish that Àlex Remiro had no hope of saving.

Minutes later, he majestically beat both centre backs and very nearly added a second in quick succession. 

A very special goal

Although he had already netted at the Spotify Camp Nou against Pumas, his one against Real Sociedad on Sunday night was his first in a competitive fixture for his new club. 

It was also the fastest league goal for Barça since Andrés Iniesta found the target against Recreativo after just 43 seconds in 2009. It was the team's quickest goal away from home since Javier Saviola's against Valladolid in 2004. That was just took 30 seconds. 

And on his birthday

What's more, today is Lewandowski's 34th birthday. It was the fastest goal in Liga history on the scorers' birthday. The previous record belonged to Fernando Ansola, coincidentally a Rall Sociedad player and also on his 34th birthday. That one came after 55 seconds on 27 January 1974.