Barcelona left Seville with their perfect league start intact after Raphinha turned a turbulent night at the Sánchez-Pizjuán into a 3-1 win. The Brazilian captain struck three times after Sevilla had taken an early lead, carrying Hansi Flick’s side to 21 points from seven matches.
It was Barcelona’s most uncomfortable league outing so far, played amid the noise and force of a Sevilla side that matched the occasion in the opening half. But the hosts could not sustain that intensity after the interval, while Raphinha found the decisive answers.
Quick facts
- Sevilla 1-3 Barcelona at the Sánchez-Pizjuán.
- Fofana put Sevilla ahead in the 18th minute.
- Raphinha scored in the 21st, 51st and 69th minutes.
- Barcelona have won all seven league games and hold 21 points.
- Raphinha heads into the international break with 12 goals in seven rounds.
- A further win would match Barcelona’s best-ever league opening: eight consecutive victories under Tata Martino in 2013-14.
Flick had provided one surprise before kick-off. With Joan Garcia absent as a precaution, Wojciech Szczesny had appeared the expected choice in goal, yet Dominik Livakovic was named in the side shortly before the game for an unexpected Barcelona debut.
Pau Cubarsí, Fermín López and Gordon returned after resting against Racing on Wednesday, replacing Gerard Martín, Dani Olmo and Adeyemi. João Cancelo remained at left-back, with Xavi Espart among the substitutes.
Sevilla began with a sharp edge, feeding off the atmosphere after the home anthem had rung around the stadium. Luis García Plaza’s team pressed aggressively, disrupted Barcelona’s rhythm and made their presence felt in challenges on Fermín and Lamine Yamal.
The referee, Martínez Munuera, allowed the game to develop with a high physical threshold, and Barcelona responded in kind. Lamine briefly settled the visitors with a fine individual run inside from the right, beating two men before driving a left-footed shot against the post.
Sevilla then found their way in front. Raphinha’s attempted chest pass was loose, allowing Felix Correia space to attack Eric García down the left; his cross was met at the near post by Fofana, whose header beat Livakovic in the 18th minute.
Barcelona’s response took only three minutes. Christensen found Raphinha near the corner of the penalty area, and the captain shifted past Sangante with his left foot before beating Odysseas with a right-footed finish.
The first half remained fractured and increasingly heated. A stadium-screen message urged supporters to “Support, don’t insult” as tension gathered around Lamine, who appealed unsuccessfully for a penalty in the 35th minute and later clashed verbally with Kochorasvili after another strong solo run.
Neither defence was fully secure before the break. Felix Correia went close with a header, Pedri sent an effort over after excellent work from Fermín, and Rodri made a crucial intervention to deny Correia, who had been a persistent threat alongside Miguel Sierra and Fofana.
Flick adjusted Barcelona’s positioning after half-time, reducing the turnovers that had exposed them and stretching Sevilla across the pitch. Lamine had already sent two similar efforts narrowly wide when his persistence created the turning point.
After losing possession, the winger won it back and stayed alert to the next loose ball before delivering a cross for Raphinha to head Barcelona into the lead in the 51st minute. The Brazilian almost added another from a curling corner that passed everyone and struck the post on 64 minutes.
Sevilla introduced Ejuke, Carmona and Isaac Romero in an effort to restore their earlier energy, but Barcelona’s third arrived soon afterwards. Lamine released Raphinha with an outstanding through pass, and the captain lifted his finish delicately over Odysseas to complete his hat-trick in the 69th minute.
Raphinha was then withdrawn ahead of the international break, while Adeyemi entered on the left and Gordon moved centrally in search of his first goal. Gordon failed to make contact with two excellent openings, and Gabriel Jesus later finished the match as the central forward.
Odysseas prevented Adeyemi from adding a fourth, though Barcelona had already done enough. The result leaves them one victory from the club record start and puts pressure on Real Madrid, who began their derby against Atlético six points behind.
