Raphinha Hat-Trick Powers Barcelona Past Resilient Sevilla at the Sánchez-Pizjuán
NEWSOTHER NEWSSPORT
9/20/20263 min read
La Liga 2026–27 | Matchweek 7
Final Score: Sevilla FC 1–3 FC Barcelona
Venue: Estadio Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán, Seville
Date: September 19, 2026
Match Summary
A sensational hat-trick from Brazilian international Raphinha propelled FC Barcelona to a commanding 3–1 away victory over Sevilla FC at a raucous Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán. Despite an early scare when Youssouf Fofana handed the hosts the lead, Hansi Flick’s league leaders demonstrated composure, tactical dominance, and lethal finishing to maintain their grip at the summit of La Liga.
First Half: Instant Response After Early Shock
Sevilla entered the contest riding high in the top five, and their high-intensity press bore fruit in the 19th minute. Midfielder Youssouf Fofana pounced on loose possession inside the attacking third, driving low into the corner past Dominik Livaković. After a tense VAR check to review an earlier collision in midfield, the home crowd erupted as the goal stood.
The Andalusian celebrations were short-lived, however.
Just three minutes later, Barcelona responded with trademark incision. Lamine Yamal drifted inside from the right wing, carving open the Sevilla backline with a defense-splitting through ball. Raphinha timed his diagonal run to perfection, slotting coolly past Odysseas Vlachodimos in the 22nd minute to level the score at 1–1.
With Rodri and Pedri asserting control over the tempo in midfield, Barcelona dictated the remainder of the first half, though Sevilla’s center-back pairing of Andrés Castrín and Arouna Sangante held firm under heavy pressure to preserve parity heading into the break.
Second Half: The Raphinha Masterclass
Flick’s men emerged from the interval with heightened urgency, taking the lead just seven minutes into the second period:
52nd Minute (1–2): João Cancelo overlapped aggressively down the left flank before cutting a pinpoint delivery back across the box. Raphinha arrived on cue, hitting a first-time strike into the top corner to put the Blaugrana in front.
69th Minute (1–3): Sevilla manager turned to his bench, introducing Chidera Ejuke and Isaac Romero to chase an equalizer, but Barcelona’s transition play proved fatal. Anthony Gordon broke on the counter and squared the ball to Raphinha, who completed his treble with a composed finish past an exposed Vlachodimos.
With a two-goal cushion secured, Hansi Flick managed his squad’s workload ahead of upcoming midweek continental fixtures. Raphinha departed to a warm ovation from the traveling supporters in the 76th minute, replaced by Karim Adeyemi, while Dani Olmo, Marc Bernal, and Gabriel Jesus also saw action in the closing stages.
Sevilla pushed to bridge the deficit, but tempers flared late on as Lucien Agoumé picked up a yellow card in the 80th minute amid growing home frustration. Barcelona saw out the remaining minutes comfortably with measured possession.
Key Match Statistics
Statistic Sevilla FC FC Barcelona
Goals 1 3
Possession 38% 62%
Shots on Target 3 8
Total Shots 8 17
Corner Kicks 3 7
Fouls / Yellow Cards 14 / 1 9 / 0
Lineups & Substitutions
Sevilla FC (4-3-3):
Starting XI: Odysseas Vlachodimos (GK); Juan Iglesias, Arouna Sangante (José Ángel Carmona 67'), Andrés Castrín, Gabriel Suazo; Lucien Agoumé, Youssouf Fofana (Alfon 78'), Giorgi Kochorashvili (Isaac Romero 67'); Miguel Sierra (Jon Guridi 78'), Robbie Ure, Félix Correia (Chidera Ejuke 58').
Unused Subs: Fran González, Marcos Teixeira, Iker Ortin, Manu Bueno, Nico Guillén, Julio Díaz, Gerard Fernández.
FC Barcelona (4-3-3):
Starting XI: Dominik Livaković (GK); Eric García, Pau Cubarsí, Andreas Christensen (Gerard Martín 58'), João Cancelo; Rodri, Pedri (Marc Bernal 85'), Fermín López (Dani Olmo 75'); Lamine Yamal, Anthony Gordon (Gabriel Jesus 85'), Raphinha (Karim Adeyemi 76').
Unused Subs: Wojciech Szczęsny, Alejandro Balde, Jules Koundé, Xavi Espart, Gavi, Hamza Abdelkarim.
Tactical Takeaways & What It Means
Raphinha’s Unstoppable Form: Coming off a prolific week in both domestic and European fixtures, the Brazilian forward demonstrated world