Barcelona were made to work for it, playing over 30 minutes with 10 men, but Hansi Flick’s side earned a ninth win in 11 games following a brilliant 3-1 victory away to Sevilla, putting the Catalans right back in the LaLiga title fight.
Barcelona’s LaLiga title hopes received a major boost as they secured a thrilling 3-1 victory over Sevilla despite being reduced to 10 men for the final half-hour. Hansi Flick’s men showed immense resilience, moving within two points of league leaders Real Madrid and one point behind Atlético Madrid.
Early Goals Set the Tone
Barça came into this fixture knowing they had to take advantage of their rivals dropping points in the Madrid derby. They wasted no time making their intentions clear, scoring inside the first seven minutes. A well-worked corner routine saw Raphinha deliver a precise cross into the box, where Iñigo Martínez directed the ball toward Robert Lewandowski, who made no mistake in slotting it home.
However, Barcelona’s defensive frailties on the road were once again exposed just a minute later. Sevilla responded immediately with a quick counterattack, slicing through Barça’s defense with ease. Saúl played a perfect pass to Rubén Vargas, who fired past Wojciech Szczęsny to level the score at 1-1.
End-to-End Action in the First Half
Both sides had opportunities to add to their tally in a fast-paced first half. Raphinha came close with a long-range effort, while Jules Koundé squandered a chance from the edge of the box. Lamine Yamal, usually one of Barcelona’s most dangerous players, was relatively quiet but still managed to test the Sevilla goalkeeper with a shot at the near post.
Sevilla also had their moments, with Dodi Lukebakio executing a spectacular overhead kick that was brilliantly stopped by Szczęsny. The game remained finely balanced heading into halftime, with both teams looking capable of taking control.
Barça Strike Early Again in the Second Half
The second half began in a near-identical fashion to the first, with Barcelona regaining the lead within a minute of the restart. A slick passing move ended with Pedri delivering a perfectly weighted ball into the box, where Fermín López rose highest to head the ball into the net.
Sevilla thought they had equalized immediately once again, but Isaac Romero’s pass to Vargas was deemed offside before the Swiss forward could tap in his second of the night. It was a lucky break for Barcelona, and they capitalized on it moments later.
Raphinha Continues His Incredible Form
Barcelona’s star man of the season, Raphinha, once again proved why he has been so crucial to their success. The Brazilian winger fired home a powerful strike from the edge of the box in the 55th minute, securing his 24th goal of the campaign. His impressive form has been one of the key factors keeping Barcelona in the title race, and he once again delivered when it mattered most.
Despite their comfortable two-goal cushion, Barcelona faced a setback in the 63rd minute when Fermín López was sent off. Initially shown a yellow card for a late challenge on Djibril Sow, the decision was upgraded to a red card after a VAR review. This forced Barcelona into a more defensive approach for the remainder of the game.
Sevilla Fail to Capitalize on Numerical Advantage
Despite playing against 10 men for the last 30 minutes, Sevilla struggled to break down Barcelona’s disciplined defense. Flick’s men absorbed the pressure well, preventing Sevilla from creating any clear-cut chances. The hosts looked frustrated as they failed to capitalize on their numerical advantage.
To make matters worse for Sevilla, Barcelona struck again late in the match. Defender Eric García rose to meet a cross and guided his header into the back of the net, putting the result beyond doubt. The fourth goal sealed a dominant performance from the Catalan giants, who showed their mental strength and tactical discipline.
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Barcelona Close in on LaLiga’s Top Spot
With this victory, Barcelona moved within touching distance of their title rivals. They now sit just a point behind second-placed Atlético Madrid and only two points off the top. Their recent form under Hansi Flick has been remarkable, with nine wins in their last 11 matches, keeping them firmly in the hunt for the championship.
Meanwhile, Sevilla saw their four-match unbeaten streak come to an end. García Pimienta’s team currently sits in 13th place, with work to do to climb further up the table. Despite some bright moments in attack, their inability to break down 10-man Barcelona was a major disappointment.
This result not only boosts Barcelona’s title aspirations but also sends a clear message to their rivals: they are ready to fight until the very end. Their ability to win under difficult circumstances, even with a numerical disadvantage, will give them confidence heading into the crucial final months of the season.
