Barcelona’s hopes of returning to the top of La Liga were dashed in stunning fashion as they suffered a humiliating defeat to Sevilla – their worst against the Andalusian side since a 4-0 loss in 1951.
Needing a win to reclaim first place from Real Madrid, Hansi Flick’s men were outplayed for long spells and slumped to their first league defeat of the season against a Sevilla team that had not beaten them in over a decade.
Former Barcelona winger Alexis Sánchez put Sevilla ahead from the penalty spot after Ronald Araújo clumsily brought down Isaac Romero. Romero doubled the hosts’ advantage soon after, finishing off a swift counterattack to send the home crowd into raptures.
Barcelona briefly threatened a comeback when Marcus Rashford volleyed home Pedri’s cross in first-half stoppage time. But the Catalans failed to build on that momentum, and their frustration deepened when Robert Lewandowski missed a crucial second-half penalty after Adnan Januzaj fouled Alejandro Balde.
Sevilla sealed the emphatic victory late on through José Ángel Carmona and Akor Adams, condemning Barça to a second straight defeat following their midweek Champions League loss to Paris Saint-Germain.
The result leaves Barcelona two points behind leaders Real Madrid, while Sevilla climb to fifth, with Atlético Madrid still to play Celta Vigo in Sunday’s late fixture.