Lewandowski and Torre net braces as Barca crush Sevilla

Robert Lewandowski continued his blistering form with a brilliant brace to send Barcelona three points clear at the top of La Liga following an easy 5-1 win over Sevilla on Sunday.

The veteran striker broke the deadlock from the spot in a dominant first-half from Barca, before Pedri doubled the host’s lead with a brilliant finish from the edge of the box.

Before the break, Lewandowski put Barca further ahead when he steered home Raphinha’s low cross, positioning himself well to avoid the offside flag and give his side a three-goal cushion inside 39 minutes.

It was a matter of damage limitation for Sevilla, with Norwegian shot-stopper Orjan Haskjold Nyland called into action to deny Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal with great saves.

But he could not prevent a fourth Barca goal, with substitute Pablo Torre steering Jules Kounde’s cross into the bottom-left corner to add gloss to the scoreline.

In a huge boost for Hansi Flick’s side, Gavi made his return from a lengthy injury in the late stages, making his first appearance since suffering a knee ligament injury in November 2023.

Sevilla hit back late on through Stanis Idumbo Muzambo to deny Barca a clean sheet, but Torre restored the four-goal advantage to seal a late brace of his own.

Barca have now won nine of their opening 10 matches in the Spanish top-flight and travel to Madrid on Saturday for the first Clasico of the season against Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid, who sit in second place.

Talking point – Barca go three points clear of Madrid

Barcelona are leading the table and it was crucial that they got a victory on Sunday, with a trip to second-place Real Madrid at the Bernabeu on the horizon.

They have the advantage as they head into the first Clasico of the season on Saturday, while a UEFA Champions League test against Bayern Munich awaits them on Wednesday – live on TNT Sports and discovery+ – in a monumental week for Hansi Flick’s side.

But they will be flying high on confidence after they picked up where they left off before the international break, continuing their brilliant form to claim a ninth win of the campaign.

Player of the Match – Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona)

Who else? Robert Lewandowski brought up his 13th and 14th goals of the season with an emphatic double to make it seven in his last three Barca matches.

The 36-year-old is in tip-top shape ahead of his reunion with former club Bayern Munich on Wednesday, and with that trip to Madrid coming up in a massive week for the club, he has hit his best form at just the right time.

Robert Lewandowski

Image credit: Eurosport

Match ratings

Barcelona: Pena 6, Kounde 7, Curbarsi 7, Martinez 7, Balde 6, Pedri 8, Casado 7, Yamal 8, Fati 7, Raphinha 8, Lewandowski 9

Subs: Martin 6, Olmo, Lopez 6, Gavi N/A, Torre 8, Victor 6

Sevilla: Nyland 6, Carmona 6, Bade 7, Marcao 5, Pedrosa 6, Agoume 6, Gudelj 4, Fernandez 5, Lukebakio 5, Romero 6, Ejuke 5

Subs: Lokonga 6, Sow 6, Suso 6, Muzambo 7

Match highlights

9’ – SEVILLA GO CLOSE! Dodi Lukebakio drives inside from the right and sends a curling effort whizzing past the far post. Sevilla’s game plan looks pretty clear – Sit deep, let Barca have the ball, and then hit them on the counter.

22’ – BARCA PENALTY! Raphinha is fouled from behind and referee Ricardo De Burgos Bengoetxea points to the spot!

24’ – GOAL!!! – BARCELONA 1-0 SEVILLA (LEWANDOWSKI): Lewandowski converts from the spot, rolling the ball into the bottom left corner. It’s him again and Barca lead!

28’ – GOAL!!! – BARCELONA 2-0 SEVILLA (PEDRI): Pedri doubles Barcelona’s lead with a sensational finish! Barca fly forward through Yamal on the right, who cuts the ball back to Pedri on the edge of the box and he makes no mistake with the finish, steering the ball into the top right corner.

36’ – BIG SAVE TO DENY LEWANDOWSKI! The Barca striker is one-on-one and looks sure to slot in a third for the hosts and all but wrap up the match, but Nyland makes a great stop to keep the deficit to two! That could be crucial.

39’ – GOAL!!! – BARCELONA 3-0 SEVILLA (LEWANDOWSKI): Lewandowski turns in Raphina’s low cross from close range and it’s a third for Barca! There is some scepticism that he might be offside, but the goal is given.

48’ – WHAT A SAVE TO DENY YAMAL! Nyland is at full stretch to deny Yamal, who curls a brilliant effort towards the top corner with the outside of his boot.

82’ – GOAL!!! BARCELONA 4-0 SEVILLA (TORRE): Barca grab a fourth through substitute Pablo Torre, who steers Kounde’s cross into the bottom left corner! And things are about to get even better for Barca as Gavi prepares to make his return.

87’ – GOAL!!! – BARCELONA 4-1 SEVILLA (MUZAMBO): The substitute drives into the penalty area from the left and makes no mistake with the finish, executing his low effort perfectly as the ball nestles in the bottom right corner. No clean sheet for Barca!

89’ – GOAL!!! – BARCELONA 5-1 SEVILLA (TORRE): It’s raining goals towards the end of this game and it looks like Torre has a late brace! His deep free-kick heads towards Martinez, who doesn’t make contact with the ball as it bounces into the far corner.

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