Sevilla Upset Barcelona 4-1 at Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán, Ending Unbeaten Run

• October 6, 2025
• C Badenhorst
• 1 Comments

When Sevilla crushed FC Barcelona 4‑1 on Sunday, the Spanish football world collectively gasped.

The showdown unfolded on October 5, 2025 at the iconic Ramón Sánchez‑Pizjuán stadium in Seville, drawing a packed crowd of 41,040 and marking a pivotal moment in Matchday 8 of the 2025‑26 LaLiga seasonAndalusia.

Here’s the thing: Barcelona arrived on an eight‑match unbeaten streak, perched at the summit of the table. Sevilla, meanwhile, had squeaked a 2‑2 draw in their previous outing and were desperate for a statement win. What unfolded was a narrative few could have predicted.

Match Overview

Referee Alejandro Muñiz Ruiz started the game with a swift whistle, and within minutes Sevilla’s high‑press forced a sloppy pass back to Barça’s midfield. The hosts opened the scoring in the 12th minute when Adnan Januzaj slipped a low cross into the box and Marcus Rashford—playing his first season for Barcelona—latched onto it, only to see his effort saved by Sevilla’s keeper, Jules Koundé. The breakthrough came in the 23rd minute when Rashford finally broke the deadlock, poising a beautiful pass from Pedri into a thumping finish that left the crowd stunned.

But wait—Sevilla weren’t about to hand over the night. Just five minutes later, a swift counter‑attack saw Sérgio Ramos fire a low drive from the edge of the box into the net, leveling the score. The Spanish side kept the pressure on, and by halftime the score read 2‑1 in Sevilla’s favor.

Key Moments and Goals

The second half belonged to Sevilla. In the 55th minute, a set‑piece routine that had been rehearsed all week paid off: a corner from Joaquín Sanchez found the head of Jesús Navas, whose flick‑on was volleyed home by Youssef En-Nesyri. That made it 3‑1.

Barcelona tried to claw back. Pedri, ever the creative spark, drifted into the middle of the park and produced a dazzling 30‑yard pass that ripped through Sevilla’s defense. Rashford, showing the composure of a seasoned veteran, side‑footed the ball into the bottom corner in the 71st minute, giving the visitors a glimmer of hope.

Yet the twist is that Sevilla sealed the deal three minutes later. A quick break after a Barcelona corner saw Óliver Girón steal the ball and sprint down the right flank before slipping a perfect low cross to Luis Suárez, whose finish left the goalkeeper scrambling. The final whistle confirmed a 4‑1 rout.

Reactions and Analysis

Post‑match, Sevilla’s manager Julen Lopetegui hailed his side’s “relentless intensity” and called the victory “one for the history books.” He added, “We showed we can compete with anyone when we stick to the plan.”

Barcelona’s coach, Xavi Hernández, was noticeably subdued. In a brief press conference he admitted, “We lacked focus after the first goal. The defensive shape fell apart, and we paid the price.” He also emphasized that the loss “doesn’t define the season, but it does highlight areas we must fix immediately.”

Fans on social media echoed the sentiment: while Sevilla supporters celebrated what many called “the night Seville stopped the world,” Barça fans described the evening as “a day to forget” and called for tactical adjustments.

Implications for the LaLiga Title Race

Barcelona’s drop from the top of the table is more than symbolic. Before the match they sat five points clear of their nearest rivals, Real Madrid, who won their fixture 2‑0. With three points now trailing, Barcelona must win their next two games to keep the gap manageable.

Sevilla, meanwhile, catapulted to third place, just two points behind the Catalan giants. Their impressive performance could herald a resurgence that challenges the usual duopoly of Barça and Madrid.

From a statistical standpoint, the numbers tell a stark story:

• Possession: Barcelona 58% – Sevilla 42%
• Shots on target: Barcelona 4 – Sevilla 9
• Pass accuracy: Barcelona 84% – Sevilla 78%
• Corners: Barcelona 3 – Sevilla 7
• Fouls committed: Barcelona 12 – Sevilla 9

These figures suggest that despite a lower possession rate, Sevilla’s efficiency in front of goal was the decisive factor.

Historical Context

Sevilla’s victory marks only the fourth time in the last decade that they have beaten Barcelona by a margin of three goals or more in LaLiga. The last such win came in the 2017‑18 season, a 4‑0 drubbing that sparked a brief title challenge.

For Barcelona, this loss ends an unbeaten run that stretched back to the final match of the previous season (May 2025). The streak, which included 23 wins and 2 draws, had been a cornerstone of Xavi’s rebuilding project, which emphasized possession‑based football and the integration of young Spanish talent like Pedri.

The defeat also reignites the debate about foreign imports at Barcelona. Rashford’s goal, while a bright spot, underscores the club’s reliance on marquee signings to compensate for a thin midfield when injuries hit.

What’s Next?

Looking ahead, Barcelona travel to Valencia for their next league match on October 12, where they must secure a win to stay within striking distance of Real Madrid. Sevilla, buoyed by the win, will host Atlético Madrid on October 18, a clash that could push them into the top two if they maintain their momentum.

Both teams also have European commitments looming: Barcelona in the Champions League group stage, Sevilla in the UEFA Europa League. How they juggle domestic and continental duties will be a key storyline for the rest of the season.

Key Facts

• Final score: Sevilla 4 – 1 Barcelona
• Date: October 5, 2025
• Venue: Ramón Sánchez‑Pizjuán, Seville
• Attendance: 41,040
• Goal scorers: Rashford (Barcelona), Pedri (assist); Sergio Ramos, Jesús Navas, Youssef En‑Nesyri, Luis Suárez (Sevilla)