LaLiga leaders FC Barcelona opened an eight-point lead over second-place Real Madrid after thrashing Sevilla 3-0 on Sunday night.
LaLiga
Report: FC Barcelona 3-0 Sevilla
Date: 05 February 2023
Venue: Camp Nou
Blaugrana coach Xavi Hernandez went with a front-three of Lewandowski, Raphinha and Gavi, while veteran full-back Jordi Alba replaced Alejandro Balde.
Eight minutes into the clash, another Barcelona player was added to the injury list as Sergio Busquets was forced off and replaced by Franck Kessie.
The game's first chance arrived after 17 minutes as Lewandowski carved out some space before seeing his strike turned away by Sevilla shot-stopper Yassine Bounou.
The visitors, meanwhile, struggled to get on the ball in the first half while they showed threat on the counter whenever Barcelona lost possession.
Sevilla registered their first effort five minutes before the break when Pape Gueye was afforded space on the edge of the box, but ended firing just over the target.
The visitors responded with a double change at the start of the second half, as Oliver Torres and Youssef En-Nesyri made way for Erik Lamela and Bryan Gil.
Barcelona would go on to break the deadlock just before the hour mark, as Alba combined with Kessie in the box before firing in off the upright.
The lead was doubled in the 70th minute through Gavi, who took advantage of Sevilla's poor defending to slot home after being played in by Raphinha.
The home side sealed the victory nine minutes later, as Alba turned provider after breaking down the left to pick out Raphinha, who made no mistake from close range.
Xavi's charges enjoyed quite a bit of the ball in the closing stages to see out the rest of the second half, with the side registering a 15th clean sheet of the campaign to go along with three points.
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