Match Report: Barcelona 5-1 Sevilla

On Sunday night, FC Barcelona hosted Sevilla on matchday ten of the 24/25 La Liga season.

Barcelona thrash Sevilla 5 - 1 to maintain top spot in La Liga

For the task at hand, Hansi Flick went with an XI of; Pena, Kounde, Cubarsi, Inigo Martinez, Balde; Pedri, Casado; Yamal, Raphinha, Fati, and Lewandowski. Note: Garcia was initially in the XI, but withdrew through injury and was replaced by Fati.

The first chance of the game came after nine minutes, where following a quick counterattack, Doni Lukebakio fired a shot wide. He probably should have done a bit better - a let-off for Barca. 

As for Barcelona, the first opportunity of the game was after 17 minutes, when a cutback from Raphinha found Fati, but his shot was wayward and well wide. 

Midway through the first half, Raphinha was caught inside the box - in a soft call. In any case, Lewandowski converted the penalty, and Barca had the lead. 

Five minutes or so later — it was two. Lewandowski found Yamal in space during a quick break, with the youngster running at the Sevilla defense, before cutting the ball back for Pedri who curled home an effort the first time. It was an absolutely superb finish from a superb player. 

Ten minutes before halftime, another quick break led to Yamal playing Lewandowski through on goal, but he was to be denied by Nyland. He was flagged offside, but the replays suggested he was onside. The ball from Cubarsi to Raphinha to start the move was just fantastic.

However, just a few minutes later - a Raphinha low driven shot was diverted in by Lewandowski, who would have his second goal of the game.

In stoppage time, Raphinha found Yamal in space - but the 17-year-old could not sort his feet out and dragged the shot wide. Barcelona would go into the break with a healthy 3-0 lead. 

90 seconds or so into the second period, an outside foot strike from Yamal had to be clawed out of the top corner by Nyland. 

A minute or so later, Raphinha had the ball in the back of the net - but was adjudged to have been offside. 

Two minutes after that, Yamal found Raphinha after a superb dribble and layoff, with the Brazilian winger firing wide - determined to get his name on the scoresheet. 

Just before the hour mark, Sevilla thought they had a lifeline in the form of a penalty, but Isaac Romero was offside.

20 minutes into the second half, Lewandowski and Raphinha were afforded some rest and were swiftly replaced by Pau Victor and Fermin Lopez.

After 72 minutes, Lukebakio had the ball in the back of the net, but once again, the offside flag was up.

With a quarter of an hour left, Pablo Torre and Gerard Martin replaced Yamal and Fati.

Just six minutes later, Torre would add the gloss to the win with a deflected effort to make it 4-0.

Despite the four goals, the night's biggest cheer came straight after. Pedri would make way for Gavi, who made his first appearance in nearly 350 days. With it, he immediately took the captain's armband — at just 20 years old.

Two minutes later, Torre nearly had two but was denied from point-blank range. Sevilla would go down the other end, and grab a consolation goal after a well-taken finish from Stanis Idumbo Muzambo.

However, the four goal lead would be immediately restored. Torre would get his second goal after all, with his free-kick going all the way in and past Nyland.

That would be that, and Barca would secure a 4-1 win to maintain their three-point lead at the top of La Liga.