Sevilla produced one of many shocks of the La Liga season on Saturday night time on the Ramon Sánchez-Pizjuán, thrashing Barcelona 4–1 in entrance of a delirious dwelling crowd. It was two Tremendous Eagles forwards, Akor Adams and Chidera Ejuke, who delivered the knockout punch.
The victory catapulted them from tenth to 4th place, straight into the Champions League spots going into the worldwide break. For Barcelona, the defeat was greater than only a blip; it ended an eight-year unbeaten league run towards Sevilla stretching again to October 2015, and it leaves them two factors off Actual Madrid within the title race.
A Ferocious Begin
Sevilla struck first within the thirteenth minute when Alexis Sánchez coolly transformed from the penalty spot after Isaac Romero went down underneath a problem from Ronald Araújo, with VAR confirming the foul. They doubled their lead within the thirty sixth minute, Romero this time the scorer, ghosting onto a Ruben Vargas cross and slamming dwelling for two–0.
Barcelona, nonetheless reeling from a 2–1 Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in midweek, confirmed sparkles of battle. Simply earlier than half-time, Marcus Rashford fired in a elegant left-footed volley to halve the deficit and provides Hansi Flick’s males a glimmer of hope.
Missed probabilities and a turning level
The second half was all Barcelona on the ball — however their profligacy was deadly. Robert Lewandowski’s missed penalty within the 76th minute, dragged large of the submit, summed up their frustration. Younger Swedish ahead Roony additionally squandered two clear openings. Sevilla, in the meantime, held their form, ready for the kill.
Nigerian aptitude seals it
In stoppage time, the Sanchez-Pizjuán erupted. Defender Carmona struck first within the ninetieth minute after a slick counter-attack, rifling into the underside nook. Then got here the second that may play on spotlight reels again in Lagos and Enugu.
New Tremendous Eagles invitee Akor Adams, who had changed Isaac Romero within the 61st minute, completed the night time in model. Deep into damage time, fellow Nigerian and Sevilla teammate Chidera Ejuke, on for Alexis Sánchez, burst ahead on the counter and laid on an ideal help. Adams utilized a relaxed right-footed end into the underside nook within the 96th minute to seal a 4–1 rout.
It was Adams’ second objective of the season however his first on the Sánchez-Pizjuán, sparking wild celebrations from the house help.
The 2 Nigerians embraced at full-time, their link-up play underlining the rising affect of Super Eagles stars throughout European soccer.
For Barcelona, the loss was a bitter blow to their early-season momentum and ended one in every of their most dependable league fixtures.
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Since 2007 they’d misplaced solely as soon as to Sevilla in La Liga. Hansi Flick’s aspect should regroup shortly if they’re to remain in contact with Actual Madrid.
For Sevilla, it was a press release win: composure, tempo, tactical self-discipline, and a ruthless Nigerian flourish on the demise. On an evening when the membership unveiled its new dwelling stand and welcomed followers again to the Sánchez-Pizjuán, Adams and Ejuke turned it right into a celebration of African excellence in Europe.
