In a dramatic twist, Real Madrid reclaimed the La Liga lead as Barcelona faltered against Sevilla, with Robert Lewandowski missing a crucial penalty.
The La Liga standings experienced a significant shake-up this Sunday. Barcelona, who faced a tough challenge at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat against Sevilla. This setback was compounded by Real Madrid‘s 3-1 victory over Villarreal at the Santiago Bernabéu, allowing Los Blancos to regain the top spot in the domestic competition.
A Night to Forget for Barcelona
The Catalan giants struggled throughout the match against an inspired Sevilla side. Despite having opportunities to change the game’s outcome, Barcelona’s overall performance was lackluster. The pivotal moment came in the 76th minute when Robert Lewandowski had the chance to level the score from the penalty spot with the scoreboard reading 2-1.
The penalty decision was contentious, and while some might argue it was harsh, it mirrored an earlier call in Sevilla’s favor. In the first half, referee Alejandro Muñiz Ruiz awarded a penalty to Sevilla after consulting with VAR, led by Carlos Del Cerro Grande. This decision allowed Alexis Sánchez to open the scoring, and he celebrated his goal with fervor despite his past ties with Barcelona.
Lewandowski’s Costly Error
Lewandowski’s attempt from the spot was uncharacteristically poor. His unusual ‘paradinha’ technique backfired, resulting in a miss that could have salvaged a point for Barcelona. The Polish striker’s failure was a turning point that left Barcelona vulnerable and ultimately led to their downfall as Sevilla capitalized on their momentum.
This result not only highlights Barcelona’s struggles but also underscores Real Madrid’s resilience and ability to capitalize on their rivals’ misfortunes. With this win, Real Madrid has once again positioned themselves as serious contenders for the La Liga title.
The question now is whether Barcelona can recover from this setback and mount a serious challenge to Real Madrid’s newly acquired lead.