Lewandowski’s brace could not save Barcelona, as they could only manage a point against group rivals, Inter Milan, and are on the brink of a Champions League departure.
Xavi’s men needed to win to maintain any hope of progressing from Group C, with teams on the same points split by their head-to-head record.
Barcelona took the lead just before half-time when Raphinha did well to keep the ball in, before threading through for Sergi Roberto, who squared for Ousmane Dembele to tap home.
But in the second half, Nicolo Barella latched onto an Alessandro Bassani dinked ball and lashed into the roof of the net to pull Inter level, before Lautaro Martinez chested a right-wing cross from Hakan Calhanoglu inside Eric Garcia, with his effort hitting both posts before going over the line.
Inter took the lead again as Onana cleared quickly for Martinez, who squared for Robin Gosens to lash home and leave Barcelona out of the competition again.
Few minutes later, Lewandowski rose the highest to meet Garcia’s cross from the right and head past Onana and keep the hosts’ hopes alive again.
Inter then had two chances to win it on the break as Kristjan Asllani was put through but Marc-Andre ter Stegen saved with his legs, before Gosens saw a header saved.
Barcelona was lacking defensive quality Gerard and Pique came in at the heart of defense because of injuries, but he was at fault for Barella’s goal, misjudging the flight of the ball, before Garcia was easily beaten for the second goal.
There were promising signs, with summer signing Raphinha impressing on the right, and Lewandowski again demonstrating the prolific scoring ability he’s shown throughout his career, but their defensive issues against top-level sides were visible.
After the match, Xavi said:
“We’re depending on another team to go through. They are our mistakes, we have to improve them. That’s the reality. The [improvement] process is longer than we thought in Europe.”
“There are other competitions, La Liga, the Copa del Rey, the Super Copa. We have to insist, persist, and believe.”
“When you draw at home with these fans, with this atmosphere, it is my fault. I am angry. My feeling is that this competition has been, and is still being, cruel with us.”
Although Lewandowski 92nd minute goal was remarkable, it could do little to help Barca’s situation.
