Sevilla 4 – 1 Barcelona
After going unbeaten in the first eight matches across all competitions, Hansi Flick’s Barcelona faced the bitter taste of back-to-back defeats.
There was an opportunity to overtake Real Madrid at the top of the table, but Barcelona produced a lackluster performance for most of the match. Robert Lewandowski’s missed penalty only added to their frustration, while Sevilla’s spirited display blew the champions away.
On Sunday, Barcelona suffered a 4-1 defeat at Sevilla’s home ground in La Liga. Alexis Sanchez opened the scoring for Sevilla, followed by a second goal from Isaac Romero. Marcus Rashford pulled one back before halftime, hinting at a potential comeback, but two late goals in the second half sealed a heavy loss for Barcelona.
This defeat came just days after a 2-1 home loss to PSG in the Champions League, marking their second consecutive loss. Despite missing several key players, including the injury-hit Lamine Yamal and Raphinha, Barcelona managed 17 shots with eight on target, while Sevilla had 13 shots, five of which were on target.
In the 13th minute, Sanchez, Barcelona’s former winger, put Sevilla ahead with a successful spot-kick after Ronald Araújo fouled Romero inside the box, confirmed by VAR.
Romero doubled the lead after Barcelona’s defensive line broke down. In the 36th minute, following a midfield turnover by Jules Kounde, Romero received a pass from Ruben Vargas and scored with his first touch inside the box.
Barcelona’s first real chance came in the 42nd minute when Rashford latched onto a Pau Cubars pass and shot on target. In stoppage time of the first half, Rashford finished superbly to reduce the deficit. Receiving Pedri’s cross at the far post, the English forward volleyed into the net—his first La Liga goal.
Barcelona performed better than Sevilla in the second half. In the 62nd minute, Pedri’s shot was brilliantly saved by the Sevilla goalkeeper, who also denied Eric Garcia’s header from a corner two minutes later.
In the 73rd minute, Alejandro Balde was fouled in the box, but Lewandowski disappointed by missing the penalty.
Barcelona’s rhythm broke after that, and in the final moments, Jose Angel Carmona’s right-footed strike made Sevilla’s win almost certain. In the sixth minute of added time, Akor Adams sealed the fourth goal for Sevilla.
Barcelona experienced their first defeat of the season in La Liga and currently sit second with 19 points from eight matches, behind leaders Real Madrid, who have 21 points from the same number of games. Sevilla, meanwhile, climbed to fourth with 13 points, while Villarreal is third with 16 points.
