Sevilla Stuns Barcelona 4-1 to End Unbeaten Run and Push Real Madrid Ahead in La Liga Title Race
Barcelona’s shocking 4-1 defeat to Sevilla on Sunday has sent ripples through Spanish football, ending the reigning champions’ unbeaten start to the La Liga season and dropping them two points behind rivals Real Madrid on the league table.
The loss marked Sevilla’s first league victory over Barcelona since 2015 — a historic night for the Andalusian side, who displayed dominance and precision from start to finish at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium. The victory propelled Sevilla to sixth place with 13 points from eight matches, while Barcelona stayed second on 19 points, two adrift of Real Madrid.
“It’s one of the happiest days of my life. We deserved to win from start to finish,” said Sevilla defender Jose Angel Carmona, who sealed the victory with his team’s third goal in the 90th minute.
Sevilla Take Control Early
Barcelona began sluggishly, struggling to find rhythm or momentum in the opening half-hour. The Catalans failed to register a single shot on target during that period, while Sevilla took control and looked dangerous with direct balls targeting Alexis Sanchez and Isaac Romero.
The breakthrough came in the 13th minute. After a tussle between Isaac Romero and Ronald Araujo inside the penalty area, the referee awarded Sevilla a penalty following a VAR review. Former Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez confidently converted the spot kick, sending Barcelona goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny the wrong way to give Sevilla a 1-0 lead.
Szczesny was called into action again in the 27th minute, making a crucial save from Romero’s close-range effort to prevent further damage. But Sevilla continued to pile on pressure, and their persistence paid off ten minutes later.
Ruben Vargas broke through Barcelona’s high defensive line to chase a perfectly weighted through ball. He squared it to Romero, who slotted home with a precise first-time finish, doubling Sevilla’s advantage to 2-0 in the 37th minute.
Barcelona Fight Back Before Half-Time
Just when it seemed Sevilla would head into the break with a comfortable two-goal cushion, Barcelona found a lifeline. In the final moments of stoppage time, Marcus Rashford — who joined the Catalans in a blockbuster summer move — latched onto Pedri’s chipped pass and smashed a left-footed strike into the roof of the net from a tight angle.
The goal reignited Barcelona’s hopes, cutting Sevilla’s lead to 2-1 as the teams headed into the dressing rooms.
“We needed that goal,” Rashford later admitted. “It gave us a bit of belief going into the second half, but credit to Sevilla — they were faster, sharper, and more aggressive throughout.”
Lewandowski Misses Golden Chance
Barcelona returned from the break with renewed energy, dominating possession and pushing Sevilla deep into their own half. Their pressure paid off in the 76th minute when Alejandro Balde was brought down in the box by Adnan Januzaj, earning Barcelona a penalty and a golden chance to equalize.
But to the disbelief of fans and teammates alike, Robert Lewandowski stepped up and fired wide of the post. The missed penalty proved costly and seemed to drain Barcelona’s momentum as Sevilla regained control in the closing stages.
Sevilla Seal a Historic Victory
With time running out, Sevilla capitalized on Barcelona’s defensive disarray. In the 90th minute, Jose Angel Carmona drilled a low shot through a defender’s legs and past Szczesny to make it 3-1, sending the home crowd into wild celebrations.
Just moments later, substitute Akor Adams added a fourth in stoppage time, slotting home from Chidera Ejuke’s assist to complete the rout.
The final whistle confirmed one of Sevilla’s most memorable nights in recent history — a commanding 4-1 victory over the defending champions.
Barcelona Left Searching for Answers
Speaking after the defeat, Barcelona midfielder Pedri admitted the team was well below their usual standards.
“We lacked intensity. We couldn’t get the ball out of our half, and we didn’t know what to do once we had possession. We were never at our best,” Pedri said. “We need to improve a lot of things so that we can start winning games again after the break.”
The result exposed weaknesses in Barcelona’s defense and midfield structure, as well as their growing reliance on key players like Pedri and Lewandowski. Coach Xavi Hernandez now faces mounting pressure to get his team back on track ahead of a crucial run of fixtures.
What’s Next for Both Teams
The timing of the loss could not be worse for Barcelona, who were hoping to regain top spot ahead of the international break. Instead, they now find themselves chasing Real Madrid once again, while confidence inside the dressing room appears to have dipped.
Sevilla, on the other hand, head into the break full of confidence after back-to-back wins that have rejuvenated their season. Their next league test comes on October 18, when they travel to face Mallorca. Barcelona will host Girona on the same day, a fixture that now carries extra weight for the champions as they aim to recover their form and restore belief among fans.
The defeat also raises concerns about Barcelona’s upcoming European fixtures. With defensive lapses, missed chances, and midfield fatigue on full display, critics are already questioning whether the Catalan giants can sustain their title defense across multiple competitions.
For Sevilla, however, the night belonged entirely to them. Their aggressive pressing, efficient finishing, and tactical discipline showcased a side capable of challenging Spain’s top clubs once again.
Conclusion
Sevilla’s emphatic 4-1 victory over Barcelona was more than just an upset — it was a statement. The result not only halted Barcelona’s unbeaten run but also reignited the La Liga title race, with Real Madrid taking full advantage to move two points clear at the top.
As the dust settles, Barcelona will be left to reflect on missed opportunities, particularly Lewandowski’s penalty, and their inability to cope with Sevilla’s relentless pressure. For Sevilla and their fans, it was a night to remember — one that will be talked about for years as they celebrated finally toppling the champions in spectacular fashion.