FC Barcelona could not extend their unbeaten streak in LaLiga 25/26. As in the previous season, matchday 8 marked the end of the *azulgrana*'s invincibility in the tournament, this time with an unexpected thrashing against Sevilla at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán (4-1).
Due to injury absences (6), Hansi Flick adjusted his lineup from matchday 7 against Real Sociedad with the inclusions of Pau Cubarsí, Dani Olmo, and Ferran Torres for Andreas Christensen, Dro Fernández, and Roony Bardghji. For the third consecutive matchday, the *azulgrana* team started losing and completed a first half to forget.
After the tough defeat against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, Barça showed physical and mental fatigue, as well as the absences of key players like Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, and Fermín López, in addition to Joan García and Gavi. In the end, the *Hispalenses* were effective in sealing a historic thrashing.
Sevilla took advantage of their superiority thanks to controversial refereeing decisions
The match did not start well for Barça. Flick's men had many problems getting the ball out cleanly from their half due to Sevilla's good work in pressing, especially in midfield.
In the 11th minute, a contested ball between Ronald Araujo and Isaac Romero ended in a normal tussle between both players, with the 'Charrúa' asserting his physical prowess to win a goal kick. However, the main referee Alejandro Muñiz Ruiz, alerted by Carlos del Cerro Grande from the VAR, went to review a possible foul by the *azulgrana* captain.
Although the tussle was clean, the Galician referee awarded a penalty for Araujo's stomp on Isaac's left foot. Alexis Sánchez converted the penalty, putting the home side ahead in the 13th minute. Barcelona's next 20 minutes were, by far, their worst of the 25/26 season.
The team lacked fluidity in possession, while Sevilla hurt them with quick breaks down both flanks with Vargas and Alexis as protagonists. In the 36th minute, prior to a foul by Suazo on Koundé after a steal, Sevilla extended their lead with a pass from the right by Vargas to Romero, allowing the '7' to score with a one-touch finish past Szczesny.
Rashford revived Barcelona before halftime
Barça was against the ropes at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán. Like against Levante, the *culés* were two goals down, harmed by the refereeing and outplayed on the field after a very poor start from the entire team.
As the first half was winding down, the magic of Pedri and the finishing of Marcus Rashford appeared to revive Hansi Flick's team. The '8' recovered a ball near the area and chipped a perfect cross that the English winger finished first-time with an unstoppable left-footed shot to beat Vlachodimos.
Thus, Barça got back into the game before halftime with a 2-1 scoreline that could have been a much larger difference. At halftime, Flick brought on Eric García and Alejandro Balde for Araujo and Gerard Martín. The left-back was booked, while the Uruguayan center-back came off with a left leg discomfort.
Despite the changes, the *azulgrana* team did not improve much, although Álex's presence gave them more depth on the left. In the 70th minute, Roony Bardghji came on for a disappeared Ferran Torres. Matías Almeyda, for his part, also adjusted his midfield with the entries of Gudelj, Peque, and Januzaj.
Lewandowski missed a penalty at the worst moment...
The former Real Sociedad player, in his first intervention, provoked a penalty for a clear hold on Balde. The full-back burst down the left and fell dramatically due to the Belgian's holding. Muñiz Ruiz had no choice but to award the penalty, and Robert Lewandowski, a specialist, took the ball to try and equalize the match.
However, the Pole opened his right foot too much and shot wide. Odysseas had guessed the side on a very anticipated shot from the *culé* '9'. Despite the miss, Barça improved while Sevilla showed the fatigue of a very physical match on a hot afternoon in Nervión.
Roony was close to scoring in the 81st minute, but shot weakly into Vlachodimos' hands after a good run down the right. Christensen came on in the final stretch for De Jong. Bardghji again tested the Greek goalkeeper with another shot from the right in the 88th minute, but it was Sevilla who, on the counter, sealed the game.
...And Sevilla sealed the thrashing in stoppage time
A quick break by Januzaj allowed Agoumé to filter a long pass down the right, where full-back José Carmona arrived free to cross. Balde covered somewhat meekly, giving the Sevilla '2' time and space.
The defender shot across goal and, with a weak response from Szczesny, sealed the match in the 90th minute. To make matters worse, Akor Adams scored the fourth in the 90+6th minute, with Barça completely broken at the back. With this, the *culés* ended a streak of nine unbeaten visits to the Pizjuán.
For the second time since Hansi Flick's arrival, Barcelona loses two consecutive matches and concedes 4 goals in a single game (the first, the 4-2 against Osasuna). In addition, the team cedes the lead to Real Madrid, who again have a 2-point advantage in the standings.
On matchday 9, the *culés* host Girona (Saturday 18, venue to be confirmed), while Madrid will visit Getafe (Sunday 19). The following week, on Sunday 26, it's time to visit the Santiago Bernabéu for the first Clásico of the season.
Match Technical Sheet: Sevilla FC 4-1 FC Barcelona
- Sevilla FC, 4: Odysseas; Carmona, Azpilicueta, Marcao, Suazo; B. Mendy (Peque, min. 72), Agoumé, Sow (Gudelj, min. 60); Alexis, Vargas (Januzaj, min. 72) and Isaac (Adams, min. 60).
- FC Barcelona, 1: Szczesny; Koundé, Cubarsí, Araujo (Eric, min. 46), Gerard Martín (Balde, min. 46); De Jong (Christensen, min. 88), Pedri; Rashford, Olmo, Ferran (Roony, min. 70); Lewandowski.
- Goals: 1-0, Alexis Sánchez (min. 13, p.); 2-0, Isaac Romero (min. 36); 2-1, Marcus Rashford (min. 45+7); 3-1, José Carmona (min. 90); 4-1, Akor Adams (min. 90+6)
- Referee: Alejandro Muñiz Ruiz. He awarded a penalty by Ronald Araujo on Isaac Romero, advised by VAR. He booked, for Barça, Gerard Martín, Frenkie de Jong, Ferran Torres and Marcus Rashford. For Sevilla, he cautioned Marcao, Januzaj, Isaac Romero, Peque and Akor Adams. He also sent off Peque in stoppage time. He overlooked a foul by Suazo on Koundé prior to Sevilla's 2-0 goal. He awarded a penalty by Januzaj on Alejandro Balde in the second half.
- Stadium: Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, Seville.
- Incidents: Match corresponding to matchday 8 of LaLiga EA Sports 2025/26.