Barcelona delivered a commanding performance against Sevilla at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, securing a crucial 4-1 win in La Liga. The match was marked by a mix of brilliance and chaos, with Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, and Fermin Lopez playing key roles in the victory. However, Lopez’s night took a dramatic turn as he scored with his first touch before being sent off in a chaotic cameo.
The Blaugrana got off to a flying start, with Lewandowski opening the scoring just seven minutes into the game. The Polish striker expertly poked in a header from Inigo Martinez, setting the tone for Barcelona’s attacking dominance. However, Sevilla responded almost immediately, leveling the score within 60 seconds. Ruben Vargas tapped in a cross from Saul at the back post, catching Barcelona’s defense off guard.
The first half ended with the scores level, but Barcelona manager Hansi Flick made a decisive change at halftime, introducing young academy star Fermin Lopez in place of Gavi. The substitution paid instant dividends, as Lopez scored with his very first touch, heading in a delightful cross from Pedri to give Barcelona the lead.
Barcelona’s third goal came shortly after, as Raphinha produced a moment of magic. The Brazilian winger shimmied past a defender and unleashed a stunning long-range strike into the bottom corner, leaving the Sevilla goalkeeper with no chance.
However, the game took a dramatic turn when Fermin Lopez, who had started his cameo in dream fashion, was shown a red card following a reckless challenge on Djibril Sow. Initially booked for the tackle, the decision was upgraded to a sending-off after a VAR review, leaving Barcelona to play the final half-hour with 10 men.
Despite being a man down, Barcelona continued to dominate, and substitute Eric Garcia put the icing on the cake in the dying moments. The defender rose highest to head home at the back post, sealing a comprehensive 4-1 victory for the visitors.
Player Ratings:
Goalkeeper & Defense:
- Marc-Andre ter Stegen (6/10): Could do little about Sevilla’s goal but made key saves to keep his side ahead.
- Jules Kounde (6/10): Solid in possession but struggled at times defensively.
- Ronald Araujo (N/A): Forced off early due to injury.
- Inigo Martinez (7/10): Provided the assist for Lewandowski’s opener and recovered well after a shaky moment.
- Alejandro Balde (6/10): Caught out for Sevilla’s goal but contributed going forward.
Midfield:
- Gavi (4/10): Struggled in the first half and was substituted at halftime.
- Frenkie de Jong (5/10): Found it tough against Sevilla’s physical midfield.
- Pedri (8/10): Orchestrated Barcelona’s play with precision, including a sublime assist for Lopez’s goal.
Attack:
- Lamine Yamal (6/10): Showed flashes of brilliance but was overshadowed by his teammates.
- Robert Lewandowski (7/10): Opened the scoring and was a constant threat.
- Raphinha (9/10): Scored a stunning goal and was Barcelona’s standout performer.
Substitutes & Manager:
- Pau Cubarsi (7/10): Slotted in seamlessly after Araujo’s injury.
- Fermin Lopez (5/10): Scored with his first touch but was sent off for a reckless challenge.
- Eric Garcia (7/10): Scored a late header to cap off the win.
- Hansi Flick (7/10): Made impactful substitutions and guided his team to a dominant victory despite the red card.
Barcelona’s win strengthens their position in the La Liga table, showcasing their attacking prowess and resilience. However, Fermin Lopez’s red card will be a talking point, as the youngster’s Jekyll-and-Hyde performance highlighted both his potential and inexperience.
