Barcelona stretched their La Liga lead over Real Madrid to a considerable eight factors with a cushty 3-0 win over Sevilla on Sunday. The Catalans, aiming to win their first Spanish title since 2019, punished second-placed Madrid for his or her 1-0 defeat by Real Mallorca earlier on, opening up a large hole forward of their rivals. However, coach Xavi Hernandez mentioned Barca wouldn’t permit any “euphoria” to creep in, urging his gamers to close the door on a possible Madrid comeback. “They are still the favourites because they are the reigning La Liga and Champions League champions,” mentioned Xavi.

“I know that Real Madrid will keep competing until the end. There have been historic comebacks, we can’t let that happen.”

After a decent first half Jordi Alba broke the impasse earlier than the hour mark, with additional targets from Gavi and Raphinha serving to wrap up the win.

The victory was their tenth of their final 11 league video games, whereas Barca are actually unbeaten in 15 matches throughout all competitions.

Xavi’s facet have conceded simply seven targets in La Liga this season, with this their fifteenth clear sheet.

Barcelona’s gameplan was initially set again when captain Sergio Busquets was compelled off with an ankle sprain after simply 4 minutes, changed by Franck Kessie.

Jorge Sampaoli’s Sevilla, sixteenth after a dismal begin to the season, sat deep with 5 defenders and seemed to frustrate the Catalans.

Eventually Alba pounced with a tidy end after an excellent help from Kessie.

Raphinha teed up Gavi for the second with a raking low go that left the teen with a tap-in on the again submit.

The Brazilian winger offered the innovative on a slick 17-pass crew transfer for the aim, in a formidable outing rather than the injured Ousmane Dembele.

Alba crossed for Raphinha to complete from point-blank vary for the third aim, wrapping up a satisfying day for the hosts.

Sevilla’s former Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic was serenaded by dwelling followers however left dismayed at his crew’s lack of intent.

“I think that to be able to take something from Camp Nou, you have to be a lot braver,” the Croatian informed DAZN.

– Frustrated Vinicius –

Real Madrid’s hopes of retaining the La Liga title have been dented of their defeat by Javier Aguirre’s decided Mallorca, during which Marco Asensio missed a penalty.

Nacho‘s Thirteenth-minute looping header into his personal web separated the groups in a hard-fought conflict, continuously slowed by numerous fouls from the hosts.

Amid a continuing battle between winger Vinicius Junior and Mallorca’s gamers and supporters, the islanders held off Los Blancos to document a formidable victory.

Vinicius suffered 10 fouls and Mallorca dedicated 29 in whole.

“I think everything that is happening and has happened is not Vini’s fault, Vini just wants to play football, and beyond that, there’s an atmosphere of provocation,” defined Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti.

“They foul him, that is what is happening.”

Real Madrid have been with out goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, harm in the course of the warm-up, together with the injured Karim Benzema, Eder Militao and Ferland Mendy, amongst different absentees.

The match was heated from the beginning, largely resulting from historic unhealthy blood between Vinicius and Mallorca.

After Nacho’s early personal aim Vinicius was booked for stepping on Pablo Maffeo’s foot, leaving the Brazilian incredulous after numerous fouls towards him had not been punished with a card.

Vinicius pulled on the Madrid badge on his shirt whereas trying on the dwelling followers to agitate them additional.

Early within the second half Mallorca captain Antonio Raillo responded by providing Vinicius the Mallorca badge on his shirt to kiss.

Madrid had a golden probability to stage earlier than the hour mark when Mallorca goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic introduced down Vinicius, however the Serbian denied Asensio from the spot.

Madrid should put defeat behind them rapidly as they journey to Morocco midweek to participate within the Club World Cup.

Real Sociedad, third, couldn’t minimize their six-point deficit on Madrid as they misplaced 1-0 at dwelling towards Real Valladolid.

Earlier Valencia, seventeenth, fell to a 1-0 defeat at Girona, who stored their first clear sheet of the season.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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