Barcelona cut the gap on La Liga's top two with an entertaining 4-1 win over Sevilla on Sunday, despite playing out the final half-hour with 10 men after Fermin Lopez's red card.<o:p></o:p>
Robert Lewandowski, Lopez, Raphinha and Eric Garcia struck for the Catalans, who were able to capitalise on leaders Real Madrid's 1-1 draw with second-placed Atletico Madrid on Saturday.<o:p></o:p>
Hansi Flick's Barca climbed within two points of Los Blancos and moved one behind Atletico to crank up the tension in the title race.<o:p></o:p>
Lewandowski's early strike was cancelled out by Sevilla's Ruben Vargas, with Lopez and Raphinha pouncing early in the second half.<o:p></o:p>
Lopez was sent off for a high tackle but Barcelona held out and extended their lead when Garcia nodded home late on.<o:p></o:p>
"Today we had to win to stay in the title race and now we're putting the pressure on," Barca defender Inigo Martinez told DAZN. "I think the team played a brilliant match and this is the way forward...<o:p></o:p>
"If we stay secure and solid at the back, up front we all know what our forwards are capable of."<o:p></o:p>
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The match at Sevilla's Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan stadium got off to an explosive start with teenage winger Lamine Yamal forcing Sevilla goalkeeper Orjan Nyland into a superb save with a curling effort.<o:p></o:p>
Barcelona took the lead moments later from the resulting corner, played short, with Raphinha eventually crossing for Martinez to nod the ball across goal.<o:p></o:p>
Veteran Polish striker Lewandowski prodded home from close range after seven minutes to reach 19 league goals and extend his lead as the division's top goalscorer.<o:p></o:p>
Sevilla were level almost instantly, with Ronald Araujo playing Saul Niguez onside and the Spaniard crossed for Vargas to turn home in the eighth minute.<o:p></o:p>
Araujo's unfortunate evening was compounded by an injury sustained when fouled by Saul, with Pau Cubarsi replacing him in the 22nd minute.<o:p></o:p>
<h2>Lopez's short stay<o:p></o:p></h2>
Barca stopper Wojciech Szczesny made a good save from an acrobatic Dodi Lukebakio effort as the hosts, 13th, gave as good as they got in the first half.<o:p></o:p>
Flick sent on Lopez at half-time for Gavi and the midfielder scored and got sent off within the space of 15 minutes.<o:p></o:p>
Lopez netted at the start of the second half, heading home from playmaker Pedri's inviting cross.<o:p></o:p>
Vargas netted from an offside position at the other end before Raphinha extended Barcelona's lead with a vicious effort from distance in the 55th minute.<o:p></o:p>
Lopez was dismissed for a rash high challenge on Djibril Sow on the hour mark, leaving the Catalans the job of protecting their lead with a man fewer.<o:p></o:p>
Szczesny saved low from Suso's drive but Sevilla created little else of note as Barcelona largely kept the Andalucians at arm's length.<o:p></o:p>
Garcia nodded home at the far post in the final stages as Raphinha's deflected cross fell kindly to him to wrap up Barcelona's emphatic victory.
Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Sports, Football: Lewandowski, Lopez and Raphinha struck for the Catalans, who were able to capitalise on leaders Real Madrid's 1-1 draw with second-placed Atletico on Saturday.

Barcelona cut the gap on La Liga's top two with an entertaining 4-1 win over Sevilla on Sunday, despite playing out the final half-hour with 10 men after Fermin Lopez's red card. Robert Lewandowski, Lopez, Raphinha and Eric Garcia struck for the Catalans, who were able to capitalise on leaders Real Madrid's 1-1 draw with second-placed Atletico Madrid on Saturday. Hansi Flick's Barca climbed within two points of Los Blancos and moved one behind Atletico to crank up the tension in the title race. Lewandowski's early strike was cancelled out by Sevilla's Ruben Vargas, with Lopez and Raphinha pouncing early in the second half. Lopez was sent off for a high tackle but Barcelona held out and extended their lead when Garcia nodded home late on. "Today we had to win to stay in the title race and now we're putting the pressure on," Barca defender Inigo Martinez told DAZN. "I think the team played a brilliant match and this is the way forward... "If we stay secure and solid at the back, up front we all know what our forwards are capable of." Also read | FA Cup: Liverpool knocked out by second-tier Plymouth The match at Sevilla's Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan stadium got off to an explosive start with teenage winger Lamine Yamal forcing Sevilla goalkeeper Orjan Nyland into a superb save with a curling effort. Barcelona took the lead moments later from the resulting corner, played short, with Raphinha eventually crossing for Martinez to nod the ball across goal. Veteran Polish striker Lewandowski prodded home from close range after seven minutes to reach 19 league goals and extend his lead as the division's top goalscorer. Sevilla were level almost instantly, with Ronald Araujo playing Saul Niguez onside and the Spaniard crossed for Vargas to turn home in the eighth minute. Araujo's unfortunate evening was compounded by an injury sustained when fouled by Saul, with Pau Cubarsi replacing him in the 22nd minute. Lopez's short stay Barca stopper Wojciech Szczesny made a good save from an acrobatic Dodi Lukebakio effort as the hosts, 13th, gave as good as they got in the first half. Flick sent on Lopez at half-time for Gavi and the midfielder scored and got sent off within the space of 15 minutes. Lopez netted at the start of the second half, heading home from playmaker Pedri's inviting cross. Vargas netted from an offside position at the other end before Raphinha extended Barcelona's lead with a vicious effort from distance in the 55th minute. Lopez was dismissed for a rash high challenge on Djibril Sow on the hour mark, leaving the Catalans the job of protecting their lead with a man fewer. Szczesny saved low from Suso's drive but Sevilla created little else of note as Barcelona largely kept the Andalucians at arm's length. Garcia nodded home at the far post in the final stages as Raphinha's deflected cross fell kindly to him to wrap up Barcelona's emphatic victory. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

La Liga: 10-man Barcelona rout Sevilla to maintain title charge

Second-placed Sevilla were held to a 1-1 draw by Barcelona on Tuesday (December 21), allowing Real Madrid to take a five-point lead in La Liga.

Ronald Araujo scored shortly before halftime to earn Barcelona a draw against 10-man Sevilla, a result that will help&nbsp;La Liga leaders Real Madrid.&nbsp;Second-placed Sevilla are five points behind the leaders, with Carlo Ancelotti's men due to face Atletico Bilbao on Wednesday. Xavi's Barcelona missed out on fourth place and dropped to seventh, 15 points behind Real Madrid.

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Papu Gomez put Sevilla ahead after half an hour after connecting with an Ivan Rakitic cross from a corner, but Uruguayan defender Araujo equalised just before half time in Seville.

After Jules Kounde was sent off in the 64th minute for throwing the ball at Jordi Alba, the hosts played the last 30 minutes with one man down. Despite having chances, Barcelona failed to capitalise, with Gavi putting a header wide outside and Ousmane Dembele hitting the post.

Barcelona controlled the first half, had better ball possession, and had at least two scoring chances in the opening 30 minutes. But Sevilla made the most of their one chance in the first half, with Gomez smashing home a thunderous shot.

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After Kounde was sent off for a petulant display following a fight with Jordi Alba on the touchline, Sevilla had to go to damage-control mode. For the unversed, Kounde threw the ball at Alba's face after being shoved by the Barcelona defender.

Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez told reporters, "I honestly think that today we lost two points. We played better and deserved to win. I feel that is evident in our improvement."

"We were unlucky. They score in a set piece play but we had many more opportunities. The result, a draw away against a great team like Sevilla, is not bad. But it is a point that is not enough for us as we are trying to move up in contention. We let this win slip away from our hands," he added.

Second-placed Sevilla were held to a 1-1 draw by Barcelona on Tuesday (December 21), allowing Real Madrid to take a five-point lead in La Liga. Ronald Araujo scored shortly before halftime to earn Barcelona a draw against 10-man Sevilla, a result that will help La Liga leaders Real Madrid.

Second-placed Sevilla were held to a 1-1 draw by Barcelona on Tuesday (December 21), allowing Real Madrid to take a five-point lead in La Liga. Ronald Araujo scored shortly before halftime to earn Barcelona a draw against 10-man Sevilla, a result that will help La Liga leaders Real Madrid. Second-placed Sevilla are five points behind the leaders, with Carlo Ancelotti's men due to face Atletico Bilbao on Wednesday. Xavi's Barcelona missed out on fourth place and dropped to seventh, 15 points behind Real Madrid. ALSO READ: League Cup: Eddie Nketiah hat-trick helps Arsenal enter semi-finals Papu Gomez put Sevilla ahead after half an hour after connecting with an Ivan Rakitic cross from a corner, but Uruguayan defender Araujo equalised just before half time in Seville. After Jules Kounde was sent off in the 64th minute for throwing the ball at Jordi Alba, the hosts played the last 30 minutes with one man down. Despite having chances, Barcelona failed to capitalise, with Gavi putting a header wide outside and Ousmane Dembele hitting the post. Barcelona controlled the first half, had better ball possession, and had at least two scoring chances in the opening 30 minutes. But Sevilla made the most of their one chance in the first half, with Gomez smashing home a thunderous shot. ALSO READ: Player welfare not taken seriously: Liverpool's Jordan Henderson reacts as PL continues amid Covid scare After Kounde was sent off for a petulant display following a fight with Jordi Alba on the touchline, Sevilla had to go to damage-control mode. For the unversed, Kounde threw the ball at Alba's face after being shoved by the Barcelona defender. Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez told reporters, "I honestly think that today we lost two points. We played better and deserved to win. I feel that is evident in our improvement." "We were unlucky. They score in a set piece play but we had many more opportunities. The result, a draw away against a great team like Sevilla, is not bad. But it is a point that is not enough for us as we are trying to move up in contention. We let this win slip away from our hands," he added.

La Liga: Second placed Sevilla held 1-1 by much improved Barcelona

Barcelona reignited their title hopes after Lionel Messi and Ousmane Dembele scored in a 2-0 victory over Sevilla on Saturday to put them two points behind Atletico Madrid.&nbsp;

Atletico still have two games in hand, the first of those coming against sixth-placed Villarreal on Sunday, but a dip in form from La Liga's leaders has given their chasing rivals hope.&nbsp;

Barca looked dead and buried a few weeks ago but this was their ninth win out of 10 in La Liga, a surge that has put them back in contention, with Atletico playing against Real Madrid next weekend.

"We've taken some big hits and we have got up again," said Barca's Gerard Pique.&nbsp;

"Of course the title race is on, there is confidence and a lot of hope in this team."&nbsp;

Sevilla started the day as arguably the form team at the top, having won all of their last six league games, the last five of those without conceding a goal.&nbsp;

But they were second best at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, a dominant performance from Barcelona exposing them still as slightly short of Spain's top three.&nbsp;

It also creates an intriguing back-drop to Wednesday's Copa del Rey semi-final second leg when these two teams meet again, with Barca hoping to overturn a 2-0 deficit at Camp Nou.&nbsp;

Although Pedri and Ronald Araujo could be doubts after both were substituted in the second half with injury problems.&nbsp;

"We believe we can come back but Wednesday is a different game," said coach Ronald Koeman. "We have to play a perfect match, only then do we have a chance."

Koeman could well stick with his new 3-5-2 system, which saw Jordi Alba and Sergino Dest playing as wing-backs ahead of a back three and Dembele deployed up front alongside Messi.&nbsp;

Without Antoine Griezmann, who dropped to the bench, Koeman sacrificed some creativity in the final third for control through the middle, not to mention the threat of Dembele in behind.&nbsp;

Certainly for the best part of an hour Sevilla struggled to escape Barcelona's press or establish any sustained pressure, even after Julen Lopetegui introduced three substitutes at half-time and switched formation to match their opponents.&nbsp;

Marc-Andre ter Stegen was passed fit to play by the team doctor despite hurting his right thumb in the warm-up and in truth it was hardly tested in the first half.&nbsp;

Barca controlled the game and while Alba and Dest never really advanced as much as Koeman might have liked, Frenkie de Jong and Pedri were a constant threat through the middle, with the speedy Dembele just in front.&nbsp;

Chances, though, were few and far between and it took a counter-attack for Barcelona to take the lead.&nbsp;

Fernando gave the ball away cheaply up front and two passes were enough, Messi curling the decisive one through for Dembele to race clear and finish.&nbsp;

Lopegtegui reacted with three changes at half-time and two more after the hour but even by matching Barcelona's system, Sevilla struggled to gain a foothold.&nbsp;

Alba came up just short of De Jong's cross, Dest slammed against the post and Messi blazed over after another surge from Dembele.&nbsp;

One of Lopetegui's substitutes Youssef En-Nesyri had Sevilla's best chance but headed over.&nbsp;

Yet without a second goal, a nervy finale was always likely and En-Nesyri found the corner on the turn but had the goal ruled out for a handball, his tussle with Araujo seeing Barca's defender go off and he booted some chairs over in frustration.&nbsp;

But Sevilla's push was brief, ended by Messi with six minutes left.&nbsp;

He traded passes with Ilaix Moriba, nipped inside Diego Carlos and tried to finish with a chip. Bono saved but the ball came to Messi, one yard out.&nbsp;

Barcelona reignited their title hopes after Lionel Messi and Ousmane Dembele scored in a 2-0 victory over Sevilla on Saturday to put them two points behind Atletico Madrid.

Barcelona reignited their title hopes after Lionel Messi and Ousmane Dembele scored in a 2-0 victory over Sevilla on Saturday to put them two points behind Atletico Madrid. Atletico still have two games in hand, the first of those coming against sixth-placed Villarreal on Sunday, but a dip in form from La Liga's leaders has given their chasing rivals hope. Barca looked dead and buried a few weeks ago but this was their ninth win out of 10 in La Liga, a surge that has put them back in contention, with Atletico playing against Real Madrid next weekend. "We've taken some big hits and we have got up again," said Barca's Gerard Pique. "Of course the title race is on, there is confidence and a lot of hope in this team." Sevilla started the day as arguably the form team at the top, having won all of their last six league games, the last five of those without conceding a goal. But they were second best at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, a dominant performance from Barcelona exposing them still as slightly short of Spain's top three. It also creates an intriguing back-drop to Wednesday's Copa del Rey semi-final second leg when these two teams meet again, with Barca hoping to overturn a 2-0 deficit at Camp Nou. Although Pedri and Ronald Araujo could be doubts after both were substituted in the second half with injury problems. "We believe we can come back but Wednesday is a different game," said coach Ronald Koeman. "We have to play a perfect match, only then do we have a chance." Koeman could well stick with his new 3-5-2 system, which saw Jordi Alba and Sergino Dest playing as wing-backs ahead of a back three and Dembele deployed up front alongside Messi. Without Antoine Griezmann, who dropped to the bench, Koeman sacrificed some creativity in the final third for control through the middle, not to mention the threat of Dembele in behind. Certainly for the best part of an hour Sevilla struggled to escape Barcelona's press or establish any sustained pressure, even after Julen Lopetegui introduced three substitutes at half-time and switched formation to match their opponents. Marc-Andre ter Stegen was passed fit to play by the team doctor despite hurting his right thumb in the warm-up and in truth it was hardly tested in the first half. Barca controlled the game and while Alba and Dest never really advanced as much as Koeman might have liked, Frenkie de Jong and Pedri were a constant threat through the middle, with the speedy Dembele just in front. Chances, though, were few and far between and it took a counter-attack for Barcelona to take the lead. Fernando gave the ball away cheaply up front and two passes were enough, Messi curling the decisive one through for Dembele to race clear and finish. Lopegtegui reacted with three changes at half-time and two more after the hour but even by matching Barcelona's system, Sevilla struggled to gain a foothold. Alba came up just short of De Jong's cross, Dest slammed against the post and Messi blazed over after another surge from Dembele. One of Lopetegui's substitutes Youssef En-Nesyri had Sevilla's best chance but headed over. Yet without a second goal, a nervy finale was always likely and En-Nesyri found the corner on the turn but had the goal ruled out for a handball, his tussle with Araujo seeing Barca's defender go off and he booted some chairs over in frustration. But Sevilla's push was brief, ended by Messi with six minutes left. He traded passes with Ilaix Moriba, nipped inside Diego Carlos and tried to finish with a chip. Bono saved but the ball came to Messi, one yard out.

Barcelona brush aside Sevilla to reignite La Liga hopes