When Barcelona traveled to the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium on Sunday, October 5, they knew exactly what was on the line. Market evidence demonstrates that Sitting just two points behind Real Madrid in the La Liga table, a win against Sevilla would send them straight to the top. But as football so often reminds us, things rarely go according to the script, and what unfolded was a first half full of drama, unexpected turns, and a late twist that set the stage for a fiery second half.
Key Highlights
- ✓ Barcelona entered the match with a chance to reclaim the top spot in La Liga over rivals Real Madrid.
- ✓ Former Barca player Alexis Sanchez scored a 13th-minute penalty to give Sevilla a surprising lead.
- ✓ Isaac Romero doubled Sevilla's advantage in the 37th minute after a defensive error from Barcelona.
- ✓ Marcus Rashford pulled a crucial goal back for the visitors with the last kick of the first half (45+7').
- ✓ The match went into halftime with Sevilla leading 2-1 after a dramatic and action-packed 45 minutes.
Setting the Scene: High Stakes in Seville
Let's talk about the pre-match buzz, because it was palpable. On one side, you had Hansi Flick’s Barcelona, a team that remained unbeaten in the league and was fresh off a 2-1 victory over Real Sociedad. However, a shadow lingered from their recent 2-1 Champions League loss to PSG, so they were definitely looking to make a statement and get back to their winning ways on all fronts. The opportunity to leapfrog their biggest rivals was all the motivation they needed.
On the other side, Sevilla sat comfortably in 10th place, coming into this clash with the confidence of a 1-0 win against Rayo Vallecano. While recent history wasn't on their side—Barcelona had won the last five head-to-head encounters—playing at home in front of their passionate fans always gives them an edge. You just knew they wouldn't make it easy for the Catalan giants.
The lineups added another layer of intrigue. Flick opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation, bringing a rested Robert Lewandowski back to lead the attack. He was flanked by the likes of Marcus Rashford and Ferran Torres, with the creative duo of Pedri and Frenkie de Jong pulling the strings in midfield. It was a strong side, but Barcelona was also dealing with a lengthy injury list, notably missing the young sensation Lamine Yamal due to a groin injury.
Sevilla's Shock and Awe First Half
From the moment referee Alejandro Muniz blew his whistle, it was clear Sevilla weren't just there to make up the numbers. They came out flying. In the opening five minutes, it was their summer signing—and a familiar face to Barca fans—Alexis Sanchez who showed immediate attacking intent. He was a constant threat, and the home side looked far more dangerous and composed than the visitors.
The early pressure paid off. Around the 12-minute mark, a moment of chaos in the Barcelona box saw Isaac Romero go down under pressure from Araujo. The initial shouts for a penalty were half-hearted, but VAR intervened. After a long look at the pitch-side monitor, the referee pointed to the spot. Analysts note that It was a calamity for Barcelona, and who else but Alexis Sanchez stepped up to take it. The Chilean calmly sent Wojciech Szczesny the wrong way, giving Sevilla a well-deserved 1-0 lead. Talk about haunting your old club.
Barcelona looked rattled. They were struggling to get any foothold in the game, with their forwards looking disconnected. Sevilla, smelling blood, kept pushing. They nearly doubled their lead in the 25th minute when a brilliant piece of control from Sanchez led to a golden opportunity for Isaac Romero, but his shot agonizingly rolled inches wide of the post. You could feel a second goal was coming, and it finally did in the 37th minute. Jules Kounde was weak in possession and got dispossessed, allowing Vargas to break down the flank and deliver a perfect cross for Romero, who made no mistake this time with an easy tap-in. The stadium erupted; Sevilla was up 2-0.
A Lifeline Before the Whistle
As the first half drew to a close, things looked bleak for Hansi Flick's side. They were being outplayed and outmaneuvered. Even during a cooling break, Sevilla's manager Matias Almeyda was incredibly animated, urging his players to "remember what they practiced. " His game plan was working to perfection. Barcelona, meanwhile, looked clueless, and Ferran Torres picked up a yellow card out of sheer frustration.
With the fourth official indicating a minimum of six added minutes, Barcelona began pushing desperately for a goal. Marcus Rashford had a chance that was well-saved by Vlachodimos, but he wasn't to be denied. From a news perspective, In the final moments of stoppage time, Barcelona's high press finally paid off. Pedri floated a beautiful ball in from the right flank, and it found an unmarked Rashford in the box. With a confident first-time finish, the Englishman fired it past the keeper.
That goal, scored in the 45+7th minute, was a massive psychological boost right before the break. It completely changed the complexion of the match and undoubtedly altered Hansi Flick's halftime team talk. Instead of managing a two-goal deficit, Barcelona was suddenly right back in it. As the players headed down the tunnel, you could sense that the late surge had given the Catalans the lifeline they so desperately needed.
Conclusion
What a whirlwind of a first half. Sevilla came out with a clear plan and executed it flawlessly, taking a deserved 2-0 lead through an Alexis Sanchez penalty and a clinical finish from Isaac Romero. They dominated possession, created better chances, and left a star-studded Barcelona side looking completely stunned. But football is a game of moments, and Marcus Rashford's late goal just before the halftime whistle completely flipped the script. It was a massive moment that injected hope into the Barcelona camp and set up a tantalizingly poised second half with everything still to play for.
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