- Barcelona closed the gap in the La Liga title race with a dominant 4-1 win over Sevilla
- A controversial non-call for a Sevilla penalty sparked debate, as VAR did not intervene on Jules Koundé’s challenge
- Despite Fermín López receiving a red card, Barcelona remained in control and sealed the victory with a late goal from Eric García
Key Takeaways:
Barcelona capitalized on the draw in the Madrid derby, securing a crucial 4-1 away win over Sevilla to tighten the La Liga title race. The match at Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán showcased Barcelona’s attacking power, but was also overshadowed by contentious refereeing decisions.
¡VICTORIA EN SEVILLA!
+𝟑 pic.twitter.com/mbTDf37yDe— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona_es) February 9, 2025
Robert Lewandowski gave the visitors an early lead in the 7th minute, but Sevilla responded immediately with a goal from Ruben Vargas. The second half started in Barcelona’s favour, as substitute Fermín López restored their advantage.
A major talking point came when Sevilla players protested for a penalty after Jules Koundé appeared to foul Djibril Sow inside the box. Referee Alejandro Hernández Hernández waved play on, and VAR did not intervene. Had a penalty been awarded, Koundé could have faced a red card, but no action was taken.
Moments later, Barcelona capitalized on the situation, as Raphinha made it 3-1 in the 55th minute. VAR was later called into action to upgrade Fermín López’s yellow card to a red for a reckless challenge, leaving Barcelona down to ten men for the final 30 minutes. Despite the numerical disadvantage, the visitors controlled the remainder of the match, and Eric García added a late goal in the 89th minute to seal an emphatic win.