Sevilla secured their first home LaLiga victory of the season in sensational style on Sunday, defeating Barcelona 4-1 at the Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán. The emphatic result brought an abrupt end to Barcelona’s impressive 15-game unbeaten run away from home and marked Sevilla’s first league win against the Catalan giants since October 2015.
The in-form visitors initially showed promise, but it was Sevilla, determined to pressure Barcelona’s backline, who created the better chances. Barca old boy Alexis Sanchez served an early warning before the hosts were awarded a controversial penalty after Ronald Araujo was adjudged to have fouled Isaac Romero in the box.
Sanchez confidently stepped up and sent Wojciech Szczesny the wrong way to put Sevilla up 1-0.
Barcelona struggled to find an immediate response, with only Pedri and loanee Marcus Rashford showing consistent threat. Sevilla capitalised on their momentum and tenacity, doubling their lead when a defensive error by Jules Kounde allowed the hosts to break swiftly, with Isaac Romero firing home the second goal at the far post.
Just when the Catalans looked disjointed, Rashford—a loanee from Manchester United—provided a lifeline deep into first-half injury time. He met a cross with a thunderous left-foot volley into the roof of the net, narrowing the deficit to 2-1 and injecting hope back into the visitors’ camp.
Lewandowski Penalty Miss Proves Costly
Barcelona emerged from the break with renewed vigour, aided by substitutes Alejandro Balde and Eric Garcia. Despite sustained pressure and two crucial saves by Sevilla goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos—denying both Pedri and Rashford—Sevilla’s defence held firm.
The defining moment of the second half arrived in the 74th minute. Sevilla substitute Adnan Januzaj, on the pitch for barely a minute, conceded a penalty after tripping Balde. Amid a cacophony of whistles and boos, Robert Lewandowski stepped up to the spot but agonizingly sent his effort wide of Vlachodimos’ right-hand post, failing to level the score.
The miss appeared to deflate Barcelona completely. Following another squandered opportunity by Roony Bardghji, the pendulum swung decisively back in favour of the hosts.
Sevilla punished the visitors ruthlessly late in the game. In the 90th minute, a swift break saw Jose Angel Carmona unleash a fine strike past Szczesny for the third goal. Akor Adams then put the cherry on top, netting a fourth in injury time to seal a memorable 4-1 victory.
The win is a huge boost for Sevilla’s season ambitions and serves as a major setback for Barcelona’s league campaign, handing them their first loss in their last 10 league trips to Seville.
