El Arrebato also surrendered to Barça’s winning streak — seven wins in the League and one in the Champions — and to Raphinha’s striking power in a high-voltage match at the Sánchez Pizjuán. The choice of goalkeeper becomes a secondary matter when the leader has the league’s top scorer. No one noticed Livakovic’s debut after Szczesny’s blunder on Wednesday, who replaced the injured Joan García, as the protagonist was Raphinha. The Brazilian blew Sevilla away with three goals, the same number he scored against Racing, for a total of 12. The captain’s efficiency crowned the comeback of a team that needed the best version of Rodri and Lamine. Sevilla, very intimidating and more intense in the first half, was especially demanding on Barcelona, who were far superior in an excellent second half, when they turned the score around to the frustration of Nervión.
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Sevilla’s physical and direct football, repetitive in changes of orientation and consistent with the strength of El Arrebato, contrasted from the start with Barça’s attempt at associative and possession play. Ball circulation was not fast or precise enough on the blaugrana side, helped by Fermín’s deployment in divided balls and Rodri’s good positioning. The defensive cuts of the midfielder prevailed over Suazo’s crosses, as deep as he was loose, without Lamine’s marking. However, he was not in time to block Correia’s entry, superior to Eric and precise in the cross that Fofana headed. Although Flick bet on Cancelo as left-back ahead of Espart, Sevilla’s attack was located on Eric García’s right flank.
García Plaza’s team’s push prevented Flick’s squad’s fluidity. The only alternative was the Lamine-Raphinha association. The winger hit the post in an individual run and then the Brazilian offered himself and got free to receive a pass from Christensen, dribble Sangante, and cross into Vlachodimos’ net. The blaugrana forwards responded with their talent to Sevilla’s collective bravery. The individual duels were very tense in a competitive and fast-paced match, sprinkled with some actions that drove Lamine crazy. Pedri intervened less and less and Gordon was not involved, both outmatched by Sevilla’s energy, amplified by the roar of the Sánchez Pizjuán.
The home team’s short and quick attacks had more substance than the discontinuous football of the Barcelonans, unable to make the passing line and keep the ball, outmatched in physical duels and held in their area by Rodri’s craft and presence. The midfielder’s defensive performance clearly surpassed his offensive contributions and showed that Sevilla had ended up subduing Barcelona, who needed more game control, uncomfortable on the pitch to Flick’s concern. The blaugrana woke up after the break when they started mixing more in midfield and connecting with Lamine. The winger ignited due to the crowd’s jeers, persevered for the repeatedly lost ball, and crossed for Raphinha to head.
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Not one, not two, not three… but three.
— Movistar Plus Deportes (@MPlusDeportes) September 19, 2026
👽 Raphinha remains unstoppable in #LALIGAEASPORTS and already has twelve goals in seven matches.#LaCasaDelFútbol pic.twitter.com/aEUQpxMMWt
Lamine’s insistence in a play more typical of a promising player than a Ballon d’Or contender led to his 50th assist and Barcelona’s comeback. The number 10 grew as time passed and the team showed its repertoire of touches, as patient as accurate, firm and confident with the ball, topped by Raphinha’s voracity. The Brazilian again played into space when Lamine was having fun with the ball and his reception was as good as the shot: 1-3.
The goal was decisive for the match’s outcome because Sevilla had run out of stamina and breath, worn out by their competitiveness, and Barcelona relaxed happily after enduring a very uncertain first half, surprised by Sevilla’s fierceness. The memory of last year’s 4-1 barely lasted a quarter of an hour after Barça showed itself as a more mature and solid team, unstoppable at the start of the tournament and especially interested today in the result of the Madrid derby.
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| Standings | PT | PJ | PG | PE | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
3 | 15 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 |
4 | 13 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| 5 | 13 | 7 | 4 | 1 | 2 |
6 | 11 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
7 | 9 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 |
| Standings | PT | PJ | PG | PE | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 21 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 |
2 | 15 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 |
| 3 | 15 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 |
| 4 | 13 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| 5 | 13 | 7 | 4 | 1 | 2 |
