Barcelona Thrash Sevilla to Keep Title Hopes Alive
Barcelona boost their La Liga title challenge with a commanding 4-1 victory over Sevilla on Sunday.
Closing the gap on leaders Real Madrid to just two points despite playing the final 30 minutes. With 10 men after Fermin Lopez was sent off.
Goals from Robert Lewandowski, Lopez, Raphinha, and Eric Garcia secured the win for Hansi Flick’s side, who capitalised on Real Madrid’s 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid a day earlier.
The result moves Barcelona to within one point of Atletico and intensifies the race for the title.
Barcelona took an early lead at เล่นบาคาร่า UFABET เว็บตรง ค่าคอมสูง the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan stadium, with Raphinha’s cross setting up Inigo Martinez to nod the ball across goal for Lewandowski to poke home his 19th league goal of the season.
However Sevilla responded immediately, as Ronald Araujo’s misjudged positioning allowed Saul Niguez to set up Ruben Vargas for an eighth-minute equaliser.
Araujo’s night went from bad to worse. When he was force off injured in the 22nd minute, replace by Pau Cubarsi.
Barcelona goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny denied Dodi Lukebakio with a fine save before Flick introduced Lopez for Gavi at half-timea decision that had both positive and negative consequences.
Lopez put Barca back in front, heading in Pedri’s cross early in the second half. Minutes later, Raphinha extended the lead with a powerful long-range strike in the 55th minute.
But Lopez’s night was cut short. When he sent off reckless high challenge on Djibril Sow. Leaving Barcelona to defend their lead with 10 men for the final half-hour.
Sevilla struggled to mount a comeback. Barcelona sealed the win in the closing stages. When Garcia nodded home from Raphinha’s deflected cross.
“Today we had to win to stay in the title race, and now we’re putting the pressure on,” said Barcelona defender Inigo Martinez.
“If we stay secure and solid at the back, up front we all know what our forwards are capable of.”