Barcelona fight back as Raphinha cancels out Sevilla opener in La Liga

Barcelona responded to Yusuf Fofana’s opener as Raphinha scored a powerful equaliser against Sevilla in a lively La Liga seventh-week meeting.

Sevilla made the stronger attacking start, pressing from the opening whistle and looking to break through Barcelona’s defence. Their early pressure eventually produced the first goal when Felix Correia advanced down the left before sending a low cross towards the near post. Fofana met it with a header which found the net.

Barcelona levelled through Raphinha, who collected the ball on the edge of the penalty area and struck a firm, low shot into the left side of the goal.

Before the goals, the game had remained goalless after 15 minutes, with Barcelona controlling 55% of possession compared with Sevilla’s 45%. There was also a brief pause for the players to take on water and catch their breath.

Barcelona sought to establish control through patient, accurate passing in their own build-up, attempting to open gaps and create further attacking opportunities. Pedri sent a cross from the left into the penalty area, but it was comfortably gathered by the goalkeeper.

Raphinha later delivered another ball into the box, although none of his team-mates were able to meet it. Fermin Lopez also took a corner from the left, but Sevilla’s defence cleared the cross away from danger.

Sevilla’s organisation at the back limited Barcelona’s progress, with their defensive positioning preventing opponents from moving through central areas and creating clear chances. Joao Cancelo saw a cross from the flank blocked, while another delivery from Raphinha travelled across the area without a touch.

Barcelona did threaten when Lamine Yamal produced a curling effort from outside the penalty area which struck the right post before going out of danger. Yamal also attempted to beat defenders on an individual run, but Sevilla closed down the space and stopped him from creating a clear opening.

At the other end, Gabriel Suazo sent a low pass from the left towards the penalty area, but Barcelona’s defence dealt with it. Anthony Gordon tried his luck from distance with a powerful shot, though it sailed high and posed no danger.

Goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic made an important intervention for Barcelona by coming off his line to clear the ball from Ruben Vargas and end the threat. Barcelona were also penalised for an offside involving Anthony Gordon.

Pau Cubarsi conceded a free-kick for bringing down Ruben Vargas in the middle of Barcelona’s defensive half, while Fermin Lopez was later penalised for a challenge on the same Sevilla player.