In a thrilling encounter at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium, Barcelona delivered a commanding performance, defeating Sevilla 4-1 on Sunday despite finishing the match with 10 men after Fermin Lopez’s red card.
The victory allowed the Catalans to close the gap on LaLiga leaders Real Madrid and second-placed Atletico Madrid, intensifying the title race.
Barcelona started strong with Robert Lewandowski opening the scoring just seven minutes into the match. Following a corner that was played short, Raphinha delivered a pinpoint cross, allowing the veteran striker to prod the ball home from close range. This goal marked Lewandowski’s 19th of the season, extending his lead as the league’s top scorer.
However, Sevilla responded almost immediately, equalizing in the eighth minute. A defensive lapse from Ronald Araujo allowed Saul Niguez to cross for Ruben Vargas, who turned in the equalizer, sending the home crowd into a frenzy.
The first half remained competitive, with both teams creating chances. Barcelona’s Wojciech Szczesny made a crucial save by denying Dodi Lukebakio’s acrobatic effort, keeping the score level.
After halftime, Barcelona regained control when Lopez, who had come on for Gavi, scored with a powerful header from a delightful cross by Pedri. Just moments later, Raphinha added to the lead with a stunning long-range strike in the 55th minute, putting Barcelona up 3-1.
The match took a turn when Lopez was shown a red card for a high tackle on Djibril Sow, leaving Barcelona to fend off Sevilla’s attack with a man down. Despite the numerical disadvantage, the Catalans managed to hold their ground, limiting Sevilla’s opportunities.
As the match neared its conclusion, Eric Garcia capped off the dominant display, heading home from a deflected Raphinha cross in the dying minutes to seal a comprehensive 4-1 victory.
With this win, Barcelona moved within two points of Real Madrid and just one point behind Atletico Madrid, keeping their title hopes very much alive. Hansi Flick’s side has now recorded three consecutive league victories, building momentum as the season intensifies.