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Barcelona defeated a hapless Sevilla 3-0 at the Camp Nou to extend their lead over Real Madrid at the top of LaLiga to 8 points
Jordi Alba and Raphinha registered a goal and an assist each, as Barcelona beat Sevilla 3-0 to stretch their lead at the top of the La Liga standings to eight points and extended their winning run to five straight league games.
This evening’s contest bore little resemblance to what has historically been a clash of two Spanish juggernauts, with Sevilla travelling to the Camp Nou languishing just two points above the relegation zone.
How it happened?
Sevilla struggled for a foothold against table-toppers Barcelona, who themselves lacked nothing in first-half fluency.
Even the early loss of Xavi’s greatest lieutenant, Sergio Busquets, couldn’t stem his side’s creativity. That determination to stay on top without such an influential figure resulted in multiple opportunities for Barcelona.
Robert Lewandowski had a great chance before the end of the half but his angled drive couldn’t beat the Sevilla goalkeeper Bono.
They tried to move the ball quicker in an attempt to catch Sevilla out but the away side continued to stand firm in their deep, defensive structure.
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Barca came out for the second half looking sharper and probing for a breakthrough. Just before the hour mark, they finally found the breakthrough. Franck Kessie played a brilliant pass into Jordi Alba who struck his first-time effort past Bono and into the bottom corner.
Xavi's side doubled their lead after 70 minutes, Raphinha was able to shift the ball onto his left foot before playing a delightful ball into Gavi at the back post for a tap-in.
The Catalan side wrapped up all three points 10 minutes from time, this time Jordi Alba turned provider - firing a ball across the face of goal for Raphinha to rifle home.
Player of the match - Raphinha
Raphinha provided a superb assist for Gavi to score Barcelona's second goal and effectively kill off the game and just nine minutes later he was able to get on the scoresheet.
He timed his run brilliantly to get on the end of Jordi Alba's cross and make it 3-0. Raphinha was also sound defensively, tracking g back and putting in a shift.
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