MADRID, Aug 22, 2022 (BSS/AFP) - Robert Lewandowski got off the mark for

Barcelona with a double as Ansu Fati starred as a substitute in a 4-1 victory
over Real Sociedad on Sunday, while Villarreal won at Atletico Madrid.

Poland striker Lewandowski, celebrating his 34th birthday, put Barca ahead
inside 50 seconds before Alexander Isak levelled for La Real in San
Sebastian.

But Fati came off the bench to create goals for Ousmane Dembele and
Lewandowski, before completing the scoring himself.

Barca's first win of the season followed a disappointing goalless draw at
home to Rayo Vallecano on the opening weekend.

Coach Xavi had called for "patience" from supporters after a summer spending
spree which saw Lewandowski, Raphinha, Andreas Christensen and Franck Kessie
all move to the Camp Nou.

That quartet all made their debuts against Rayo, but France defender Jules
Kounde is still to be registered by the club after his transfer from Sevilla
as they look to overcome financial problems.

The visitors made a dream start on Sunday, though, as 18-year-old full-back
Alejandro Balde raced clear and sent in a low cross which was tapped home by
Lewandowski.

He scored 344 goals during a trophy-laden eight-year spell at Bayern Munich
before leaving for 45 million euros in July.

But the home side hit back in the sixth minute, as Frenkie de Jong lost the
ball in midfield and Isak raced clear before lofting the ball into the net.

Sociedad were proving a tough nut to crack for Barca, but the game changed
when Fati was sent on in the 64th minute.

The 19-year-old's brilliant backheel teed up Dembele to drill a left-footed
strike into the bottom corner just two minutes later, before another clever
touch found Lewandowski to score.

Fati, who endured two injury-plagued seasons after breaking into the first
team in 2019/20, got a goal himself late on as he collected Lewandowski's
volleyed flick and slotted in.

- Villarreal down Atletico -

Earlier, Villarreal moved to the top of the fledgling table as second-half
goals from Yeremy Pino and Gerard Moreno secured a 2-0 victory at Atletico.

Unai Emery's men opened their season with an impressive 3-0 win at Real
Valladolid last weekend but the scalp of Atletico will raise hopes of a
possible challenge for Champions League qualification.

The result was a reality check for the capital side, though, who had also
started the campaign with a 3-0 success at Getafe.

Villarreal, who reached last season's Champions League semi-finals, are one
of four teams with two wins from two matches and edged above reigning
champions Real Madrid on goal difference.

The away side made a fast start at the Estadio Metropolitano, with Atletico
goalkeeper Jan Oblak forced into fine saves from Giovani Lo Celso and Etienne
Capoue.

Moreno thought he had given Villarreal a half-time lead, but his effort was
ruled out for a handball.

Matheus Cunha was introduced midway through the second period by home coach
Diego Simeone in place of Alvaro Morata and almost broke the deadlock in the
72nd minute, only to be denied by 'keeper Geronimo Rulli.

Teenage winger Pino instead put Villarreal in front just a minute later,
capitalising on a poor clearance to fire a fine low shot into the bottom
corner.

Atletico's Nahuel Molina was sent off deep into injury-time and Moreno netted
in the 97th minute to send Villarreal top.