SEVILLA – Barcelona moved within two points of La Liga leaders Real Madrid after a commanding 4-1 victory over Sevilla on Saturday, despite a chaotic cameo from Fermin Lopez, who scored and was later sent off.
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Robert Lewandowski opened the scoring in the seventh minute, netting his 19th goal of the season by prodding home a header from Iñigo Martínez. However, Sevilla responded almost immediately, with Ruben Vargas latching onto a pass from former Barcelona midfielder Saúl Ñíguez before firing past Marc-André ter Stegen.
The match remained level at halftime, but Lopez made an instant impact off the bench, putting Barcelona ahead with a well-placed header into the bottom corner. Moments later, the midfielder was sent off following a VAR review for a reckless knee-high challenge on Djibril Sow.
Sevilla thought they had equalized again when Vargas found the net, but his effort was ruled out for offside. Their frustrations grew when appeals for a penalty, after Sow collided with Jules Koundé, were waved away.
Barcelona extended their lead before Lopez’s dismissal, as Raphinha curled in a stunning strike from outside the box. Eric García then sealed the emphatic win with a late header at the back post.
The victory allowed Hansi Flick’s side to capitalize on a 1-1 draw between Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid in the city derby earlier in the evening.
Barcelona now prepares for a home fixture against sixth-placed Rayo Vallecano on February 17, while Sevilla, sitting 13th in the standings, will travel to Valladolid a day earlier.