Fermin Lopez both scored and was sent off in Barcelona's 4-1 victory over Sevilla in La Liga on Sunday night, with Hansi Flick's side pulling themselves back into the title race.
Saturday's 1-1 draw between the top two Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid had given Barcelona the perfect chance to gain ground in the title race, and the Catalan giants were able to overcome Sevilla at Estadio Ramon.
Ruben Vargas almost immediately cancelled out an opener from Robert Lewandowski to leave the two sides level in the early stages, but Fermin and Raphinha netted early in the second half to make it 3-1 to the visitors.
Fermin was then handed a straight red card for a poor challenge on Djibril Sow, but 10-man Barcelona were able to add a fourth late on through Eric Garcia to secure a hugely important three points against Garcia Pimienta's side.
The Catalan outfit remain third in the La Liga table but are now just two points behind the leaders Real Madrid, while a ninth league loss of the campaign has left Sevilla in 13th position in the division.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
© Imago
This match was closer than the scoreline suggested, and it could have been difficult for Barcelona had Sevilla managed to score a second in the period that followed Fermin's red card, but that was not the case.
Both Real Madrid and Atletico showed title credentials during the Madrid derby, but this was also a statement performance from a Barcelona side that simply cannot stop scoring, moving onto 64 in the league with another four at Estadio Ramon.
There are still problems in this Barcelona side, but the quality of their forward players, and indeed the strength of their squad, is what is making this title race one of the most fascinating in years.
Tonight was about getting the job done, putting three points on the board and moving on, but Barcelona went above and beyond with what was another performance full of excellent attacking moments.
The Fermin red card was the low point, but it did not impact Flick's team at Estadio Ramon, and there are now just two points between the top three in La Liga with 15 games left to play.
SEVILLA VS. BARCELONA HIGHLIGHTS
Robert Lewandowski goal vs. Sevilla (7th min, Sevilla 0-1 Barcelona)
Two goals in two minutes 🤯
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) February 9, 2025
Robert Lewandowski scores the opener, but Rubén Vargas equalises shortly after 🔥 pic.twitter.com/z7Dv4XJacz
Barcelona take the lead in the seventh minute of the contest, as Lewandowski turns a header from Inigo Martinez into the back of the net from close range - it was an excellent assist from Barcelona's centre-back.
Ruben Vargas goal vs. Barcelona (8th min, Sevilla 1-1 Barcelona)
Two goals in two minutes 🤯
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) February 9, 2025
Robert Lewandowski scores the opener, but Rubén Vargas equalises shortly after 🔥 pic.twitter.com/z7Dv4XJacz
Incredible scenes! Sevilla level the scores almost immediately from kickoff, as Vargas fires a cross from Saul Niguez into the back of the net; Barcelona concede just seconds after making the breakthrough.
Fermin Lopez goal vs. Sevilla (46th min, Sevilla 1-2 Barcelona)
Instant impact 🫡
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) February 9, 2025
Fermín López takes just one minute to score after entering the pitch as a substitute 🔥 pic.twitter.com/tv7HeMf31R
Barcelona regain the lead shortly after the restart, and it comes from the substitute Fermin, who heads a brilliant pass from Pedri into the back of the net from close range - what a change from head coach Flick!
Raphinha goal vs. Sevilla (55th min, Sevilla 1-3 Barcelona)
What a goal by Raphinha 🇧🇷
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) February 9, 2025
The Brazilian with a top quality strike from outside of the box to make it 3-1 👏 pic.twitter.com/5GIduqeExp
Barcelona score their third in the 55th minute of the match, and it is a wonderful strike from Raphinha, with the Brazilian picking out the bottom corner from just outside the penalty box.
60th min: Fermin Lopez (Barcelona) red card
Oh my word - what a second half for Fermin; the Barcelona midfielder entered at the break, then scored, but he has now been sent off for a poor challenge on Sow - the referee upgraded it to a red card following advice from the VAR.
89th min: Sevilla 1-4 Barcelona (Eric Garcia)
Ten-man Barcelona add a fourth in the closing stages of the match, as Garcia heads a deep Raphinha free kick into the back of the net from close range; there is a VAR check for a possible offside, but the goal stands.
MAN OF THE MATCH - RAPHINHA
© Imago
Raphinha is having a truly outstanding campaign, and he came up with a goal and an assist on Sunday night, with the Brazil international a key contributor to his side's success.
Sevilla just could not live with the 28-year-old when he had space in the forward positions, and he is now on 24 goals and 16 assists in 35 appearances in all competitions during the 2024-25 season.
SEVILLA VS. BARCELONA MATCH STATS
Possession: Sevilla 40%-60% Barcelona
Shots: Sevilla 8-10 Barcelona
Shots on target: Sevilla 4-6 Barcelona
Corners: Sevilla 5-6 Barcelona
Fouls: Sevilla 14-6 Barcelona
BEST STATS
1 - Sevilla's Rubén Vargas has become the seventh Swiss player to score in LaLiga history and the first to do so against FC Barcelona. Premiere. pic.twitter.com/VbWEJKMor3
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) February 9, 2025
19 - Robert Lewandowski is the first player to score 19+ goals in his first 22 games of a LaLiga season since Lionel Messi in 2019/20 (19 goals also), both with FC Barcelona. Witness. pic.twitter.com/bmDH7gWAK3
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) February 9, 2025
3 - Pedri González has assisted three goals in his last five games for Barcelona in all competitions, as many assists as in his previous 39 appearances for Barcelona. Lighthouse. pic.twitter.com/GWFPlASMJF
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) February 9, 2025
37 - Raphinha has been involved in 37 goals in 35 games for Barcelona this season in all competitions (24 goals, 13 assists), only Mohamed Salah (44 - 26 goals, 18 assists) has been involved in more goals among all players from the top 5 leagues. Star. pic.twitter.com/1ne4ZyTZOV
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) February 9, 2025
2 - Fermín López is the second Barcelona substitute to score and be sent off in the same LaLiga game in the entire 21st century, after Vitor Roque against Alavés in February 2024. Starring. pic.twitter.com/XL8dbi5gP8
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) February 9, 2025
No player from Europe's top five leagues has scored more goals this season in all competitions than Robert Lewandowski (31) 🔥
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) February 9, 2025
He can't stop scoring 😤 pic.twitter.com/3FHbgKjlB1
WHAT NEXT?
Barcelona will be bidding to make it four league victories in a row when they welcome Rayo Vallecano to their temporary home on February 17, with the Catalan outfit now having a valuable break after a busy run of matches.
Sevilla, meanwhile, will be bidding to bounce back from their first La Liga defeat of 2025 when they continue their top-flight campaign with a trip to struggling Real Valladolid next Sunday.
Matt Law
