Barcelona needed a win over a tough opponent to legitimize their current run of form. Against Bayern Munich, in the Champions League, they got it.
The Catalan side took less to a minute to open the score thanks to Raphinha who rounded Manuel Neuer in what turned out to be the first of three goals.
Bayern Munich were dazed but by no means knocked out as Harry Kane equalized for the Bavarian side. The German side had more possession and looked the more dangerous side but Barcelona's high line caught their attackers offside on more than one occasion. But it was evident Barcelona were playing with fire.
Lewandowski broke the deadlock thanks to an assist from Fermin Lopez, his second of the game. Raphinha scored his second during added time of the first half before completing his hat-trick early on in the second half.
It was an important win for Barcelona who had suffered humiliating defeats against Bayern Munich in their most recent encounters.
"To win like this feels great," Barcelona's Jules Kounde said after the game. "A great Champions League night against a top opponent like Bayern -- lovely stuff. A result like this adds confidence. That's something we've been building, but this was our first really big test and we played a great game. After our first goal there was a little bit of trouble, but after our second we didn't look back."
Despite Barcelona's strong start, one of the doubts was they hadn't beaten a "big team" yet. Bayern Munich was going to be a litmus test and a test they passed even with some moments of uncertainty.
"I'm very happy with how the team carried out my strategy," Hansi Flick said. "We went 1-0 up and started really well, but then struggled a little bit. They deserved to equalise because they played well, but we came back and were brave and had lots of possession. I think how we created the chances and also how we finished them was unbelievable."
Barcelona were clinical, which is something Bayern weren't. They had a couple of occasions when the game was close to get back in it but were wasteful, allowing Barcelona's defense to make a crucial block or cut down on space.
Bayern Munich had more possession than Barcelona and they weren't simply passing the ball diagonally. They were direct and able to pass through Barcelona's press. But, to Barcelona's credit, they didn't panic and after the second goal, eased into the game.
The biggest difference here and last season is they were able to keep their emotions in check. Their last big game at home in the Champions League was against PSG where a red card from Ronald Araujo left them down a man and they were unable to handle it despite being up 1-0 at the time.
While Xavi wasn't responsible for the loss, his antics on the sidelines didn't transmit confidence to the players. This is an area where Flick has the upper hand and proven to be a calmer influence. After Bayern equalized, Barcelona regrouped.
"I was absolutely pleased with how they managed the periods when there was threat and how they concentrated. This is a quality they really have, to keep the ball. And to also find the right positions, and it was really nice to see that," Flick said.
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Barcelona beating Bayern Munich showed they are the real deal and not simply beating minnows in LaLiga. They are a well-drilled team with a healthy mix of academy players and veteran players brought in. A healthy Pedri and the emergence of Marc Casado have once again made Barcelona's midfield a strength.
Barcelona have gone two-for-two this week. First by beating Sevilla 3-0 and now Bayern 4-1. With El Clasico against Real Madrid on Saturday, their aim is to go a perfect three-for-three and go six points ahead of their archrivals. Despite Real Madrid's comeback against Dortmund on Tuesday, there's little argument it's the Catalans who go into that match as favorites. Not only because of the wins but because when it comes to how their performances, Barcelona's have been much more convincing.