Sevilla 0-3 Barcelona: Kounde with two assists against his former club as Raphinha and Lewandowski scored

Sevilla 0-3 Barcelona: Kounde with two assists against his former club as Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski scored.

La Liga’s early kickoff of the day saw Real Madrid take down Real Betis with a 2-1 scoreline, opening the chance for Barcelona to jump into second place with a win. However, Catalans faced a stern test of their own, taking on Sevilla at Ramon Sanchez Pijzuan.

Xavi Hernandez opted to make no changes from the team that defeated Real Valladolid last week. Meanwhile, Julen Lopetegui made a whopping six changes from his last lineup.

The hosts began the game on the front foot and dominated the opening quarter of an hour on the ball. Not only did Sevilla maintain possession during their dominant spell but they also created a string of chances that they failed to put away.

Ivan Rakitic received the first of these opportunities in the fifth minute. The biggest opportunity for Los Nervionenses, though, came in the 19th minute when Isco faced off against Ter Stegen one on one.

Robert Lewandowski chipped the ball over Bounou and toward the goal in the 21st minute to give Barcelona the lead at Ramon Sanchez Pijzuan. Fernando successfully cleared the Pole’s attempt off the line, but Raphinha was waiting to score on the rebound.

Following the opening goal, the guests took the initiative. With each passing minute, Sevilla’s defense appeared more and more vulnerable, and Barcelona’s forwards gained assurance.

The Blaugranas doubled their advantage in the 36th minute. Lewandowski’s goal was a work of sheer individual brilliance, continuing his hot start to the season.

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Jules Kounde’s wonderful pass into the box reached the No.9 who was obliged to control it with his chest. The striker made a flawless first touch before turning and volleying the ball past Sevilla’s goalie.

The visitors had a two-goal advantage at the end of the first half. That number, though, might have been higher if they had taken use of their opportunities well. One such chance came up when Dembele chose to go alone rather than pass to Lewandowski, who was in front of an open goal, in the 45th minute.

A score in the 50th minute gave Xavi’s team the ideal start to the second half. Raphinha’s cross was intercepted by Jules Kounde, allowing Eric Garcia to score with a straightforward tap-in. It should be noted that it was the French defender’s second assist of the contest.

The goal scorer left the game in the 54th minute due to an injury, and Sergi Roberto took his place. Additionally, it meant that Barcelona’s central defensive pairing for the test of the game was Araujo-Kounde.

At the hour mark, Lewandowski received a long cross from Roberto that nearly increased the Catalans’ lead to four goals. The striker extended and made contact with the ball, but Bounou made an incredible stop.

In the 63rd minute, Frenkie de Jong, Jordi Alba, and Ferran Torres took the place of Pedri, Balde, and Dembele.

In the 72nd minute, Lewandowski and Frenkie de Jong both missed good opportunities that came their way.

The final 20 minutes passed fast without each team gaining an advantage. Despite having an equal amount of possession, Barcelona produced more scoring opportunities.

The Catalans advance to second place in La Liga with this victory, trailing Real Madrid by just two points. They will play Victoria Plzen the following week in their opening UCL match of the year.