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Sevilla FC Stun FC Barcelona 4-1 as La Liga Leaders Suffer Consecutive Defeats By BBC Sport FC Barcelona were handed a crushing 4-1 defeat by Sevilla at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán on Sunday, a result that brings an abrupt end to the Catalan club's unbeaten start to the La Liga season and sees them relinquish the top spot in the league table. The defeat, which came just days after a midweek loss in the Champions League, has intensified scrutiny on new manager Hansi Flick and exposed significant defensive vulnerabilities within the squad as they head into the international break. The result marked a momentous occasion for Sevilla, who had not beaten Barcelona in La Liga in nearly a decade, ending a run of 19 matches without victory against the Catalan giants. Under manager Matías Almeyda, Sevilla capitalised on Barcelona’s fatigue and tactical errors, delivering a performance of high intensity and clinical finishing that delighted the home crowd in Seville’s high temperatures. Early Pressure and Missed Opportunities The match began under challenging conditions, with temperatures exceeding 33
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C, contributing to a fragmented opening period. Sevilla seized the initiative early when defender Ronald Araújo was penalised following a VAR review for a foul on Isaac Romero inside the box. Former Barcelona forward Alexis Sánchez calmly converted the resulting penalty in the 13th minute, establishing an early lead that unsettled the visitors. Barcelona struggled to impose their usual possession-based game against a disciplined Sevilla defence. The home side doubled their advantage just before the break after a lapse in midfield by Jules Koundé allowed Sevilla to launch a rapid counter-attack, which culminated in Isaac Romero tapping home the second goal in the 37th minute. A moment of quality saw Barcelona pull one goal back in first-half stoppage time. A cross from Pedri found Marcus Rashford at the far post, and the English loanee executed a superb first-time volley to make the score 2-1, offering the travelling side a lifeline heading into the interval.
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Lewandowski Penalty Miss Proves Pivotal The second half saw Barcelona increase the pressure, monopolising possession and pushing for an equaliser. The golden opportunity arrived in the 74th minute when Alejandro Balde earned a penalty after being fouled by Adnan Januzaj. Stepping up to the spot, veteran forward Robert Lewandowski sent his penalty wide to the left, a crucial miss that proved to be the turning point of the contest. Failure to level the score left Barcelona increasingly vulnerable to the counter-attack, a risk that Sevilla exploited ruthlessly in the final minutes. In the 90th minute, José Ángel Carmona restored the two-goal advantage, driving a low, angled shot past goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny. The humiliation was compounded deep into stoppage time when Akor Adams finished off another quick break in the 96th minute, securing the emphatic 4-1 scoreline. Barcelona’s Growing Crisis of Confidence The loss represents Barcelona’s second straight defeat across all competitions, following their recent Champions League setback against Paris Saint-Germain. This unwelcome streak has immediately put pressure on Hansi Flick, whose team now sits two points behind rivals Real Madrid in the La Liga standings. Flick acknowledged the difficulty of the situation following the final whistle, stating: “We play for an incredible club and for supporters who are hurting after this defeat. But we have to accept it and look forward. It’s important that we stick together.
We are a good team and when we return from the international break, we’ll fight for every title. ” Adding to the Catalan side’s concerns is an injury list that includes key attacking prospect Lamine Yamal, who missed the match with a groin issue, further limiting Flick’s options. Analyst Critique Highlights Tactical Flaws The nature of the defeat, particularly the late goals conceded, prompted significant commentary from football analysts regarding Barcelona's defensive structure and decision-making in high-pressure moments. Former Liverpool defender and prominent pundit Jamie Carragher offered a blunt assessment, specifically targeting defender Ronald Araújo. As quoted by several outlets, Carragher claimed: “Every time Barça face an elite opponent, he switches off, and it’s costing them dearly. If Barça want to do well, they must sell him without hesitation. ” He elaborated that while Araújo possessed passion, “Defending at this level is about decision-making, not just tackling. And that’s where Araújo has a weakness that ends up hurting his team. ” This was echoed by former Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos, who commented on Barcelona’s overall tactical approach. Kroos suggested that while Barcelona maintain one of the most attractive styles in Europe, “I think they take too many risks. ” He observed a systemic issue: “Starting from the seventy-fifth minute you notice that everyone is more fatigued, and you see them not changing their style to close the spaces.
If you’re tired and don’t change your way of playing, it becomes very obvious how exposed you are. ” This analysis directly aligns with the two late goals conceded at the Sánchez-Pizjuán. Sevilla’s Statement Victory For Sevilla, the victory was deeply significant. It marked Matías Almeyda's first major win at home and a moment of genuine relief for a club that had been struggling for consistent form. The three points lifted the Andalusian side into the top half of the table, injecting vital confidence into a team that narrowly avoided relegation last season. Manager Matías Almeyda captured the mood, telling reporters that the result had allowed “a load of negative things [to be] broken today,” referring to the pressure on the team and the poor head-to-head record. Goalscorer José Ángel Carmona, speaking about his crucial 90th-minute strike, expressed the emotional weight of the victory: “I hit it with what little I had left, all my soul. ” Outlook The international break now offers Barcelona a mandatory period for introspection and recuperation. Hansi Flick faces the critical task of addressing the defensive fragility and integrating his high-intensity system without incurring further fatigue-related errors, particularly in the closing stages of matches. For Sevilla, the victory serves as a potential launchpad, confirming that the Almeyda project is capable of delivering major results. They will look to build on this performance as La Liga resumes, while Barcelona must quickly regroup to avoid a crisis of confidence jeopardising their aspirations in both the domestic title race and the Champions League.
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