Key Takeaways:
- Barcelona succumbed to a 1-4 defeat away to Sevilla, marking their second consecutive loss and first league defeat of the season
- Real Madrid will enter the international break as La Liga leaders following this result in the eighth round
- Lewandowski missed a crucial 76th-minute penalty for Barcelona, squandering the chance to equalise
Match Analysis
Barcelona’s hopes of reclaiming top spot in La Liga vanished on a disappointing night in Seville, as they were comprehensively beaten 4-1 by Sevilla. The fixture, part of the eighth round of the championship, has ensured that Real Madrid head into the international break as league leaders.
The visitors approached the match with intent but were unrecognisable in the opening half, conceding twice before the interval. Sevilla seized an early advantage after Alexis Sánchez dispatched a controversial penalty in the 13th minute, following a VAR intervention that overturned the initial decision. The situation deteriorated further in the 37th minute when Isaac Romero doubled the hosts’ lead, with Rubén Vargas providing the assist.
Marcus Rashford gave Barcelona a flicker of hope with a goal deep into first-half stoppage time, scoring in the seventh minute of added time despite the initial allocation of six minutes. This goal sparked slender hopes of a comeback amongst the Catalan side’s supporters.
I for (4) one (1) would hate to be Barcelona fan right now 😉#SevillaBarça pic.twitter.com/IBMv7Jb80s
— Sevilla FC (@SevillaFC_ENG) October 5, 2025
Crucial Second-Half Moments and Missed Opportunities
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick made adjustments at the interval, introducing Eric García and Balde in place of Araújo and Gerard Martin. In the 56th minute, Balde narrowly escaped conceding a penalty after the ball struck his hand, with the officials eventually deciding against awarding a spot-kick.
The visitors created one of their best chances in the 64th minute, but Sevilla goalkeeper Vlachodimos denied both Pedri and Eric García in quick succession. Balde continued to influence proceedings, winning a penalty after being fouled by Januzaj. Lewandowski stepped up in the 76th minute but failed to convert, missing the opportunity to level the score.
Barcelona continued to press, with substitute Rooney Bardghji denied by Vlachodimos in the 81st and 90th minutes. Sevilla capitalised on this profligacy, launching a counterattack immediately after Bardghji’s second miss, which culminated in José Ángel Carmona making it 3-1.
Late Drama and Final Score
The closing stages were not without incident. Peque, from the home side, was shown a direct red card for a foul on Eric García, but a VAR review saw this downgraded to a yellow. There was yet time for Sevilla to add a fourth, as Akor Adams struck in stoppage time, capping off a memorable evening for the hosts.
Barcelona’s previous setback in La Liga also came before a national team break – a 1:1 draw against Rayo Vallecano at the end of August. Their latest defeat, however, signals mounting pressure as they aim to regain momentum after the hiatus.
| Minute | Event | Scorer/Player |
|---|---|---|
| 13 | Penalty goal (after VAR) | Alexis Sánchez (Sevilla) |
| 37 | Goal | Isaac Romero (Sevilla), assisted by Rubén Vargas |
| 45+7 (first half) | Goal | Marcus Rashford (Barcelona) |
| 76 | Missed penalty | Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona) |
| 90 | Goal | José Ángel Carmona (Sevilla) |
| Stoppage time | Goal | Akor Adams (Sevilla) |
Looking Ahead
This emphatic result serves as a setback for the reigning champions, who now find themselves needing a strong response after the international break. Real Madrid, meanwhile, will enjoy the interval at the summit of La Liga.
