Sevilla vs Barcelona Review
Raphinha became the first Barcelona player in 11 years to score a perfect LaLiga hat-trick, as the Brazilian, assisted twice by Lamine Yamal, led the team to a comeback 3-1 victory over Sevilla at the Estadio Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán. Early on, Yamal nearly scored a goal with a curling shot that struck the post. About 10 minutes later, Sevilla showed why this match was considered Barcelona’s toughest challenge of the season, when Youssouf Fofana headed a near-post goal past La Liga debutant Dominik Livaković after connecting with Félix Correia’s precise cross.
The home fans were still celebrating Fofana’s first goal for Sevilla, but their hopes of repeating last season’s 4-1 home victory over Barcelona quickly faded when Raphinha equalized. Playing well in a new center-forward position this season, the Brazilian made a smart run behind the defense to receive a through ball from Andreas Christensen, skillfully shifted the ball onto his right foot, and calmly scored past the goalkeeper, reaching ten goals in just seven league matches.
With the score tied at halftime, Yamal began the second half determined to prove himself after Sevilla supporters mocked him for a missed chance in the first half. The 19-year-old ultimately had the final say, as he skillfully set up the goal that put Hansi Flick’s team ahead. After catching the ball mid-air, Yamal evaded two Sevilla defenders and crossed it for Raphinha to head in his second goal of the match. Shortly after, the Barça captain almost scored a third goal directly from a corner kick, but his ambitious attempt hit the far post instead of the net.
However, this only postponed the inevitable, as he secured his second consecutive hat-trick just before the 70-minute mark by skillfully lifting a left-footed shot over the advancing Odysseas Vlachodimos after receiving Yamal’s perfectly timed through ball. The 29-year-old’s 14th goal in competitive matches ensured Barcelona’s seventh straight league victory, putting the Catalan giants, who easily avoided their first back-to-back away losses in head-to-head matches since 2007, six points clear at the top of the table. As for Sevilla, there is some consolation in knowing they will enter the upcoming international break in fifth place, following a draw in Bilbao earlier today.
