Barça restore four-point lead at top of La Liga
Club’s presidential elections to follow match
Raphinha bagged a hat-trick as Barcelona thrashed Sevilla 5-2 to restore their four-point lead at the top of La Liga. After Real Madrid cut the gap by beating Elche on Saturday, the Spanish champions responded by romping to a comfortable victory.
Dani Olmo and João Cancelo also struck for Hansi Flick’s side, who host Newcastle in the Champions League on Wednesday. Fans streamed to the stadium to vote in the club’s presidential elections, with either Joan Laporta or Victor Font to be announced the new chief later on Sunday night.
After the 1-1 draw in Newcastle in the last-16 first leg, Flick left Lamine Yamal on the bench and handed 18-year-old Xavi Espart his first start, at right-back. Barcelona were handed two penalties by a sorry Sevilla side to get off to the perfect start at the partially rebuilt Camp Nou, which finally received clearance to open the north stand.
