For 90 minutes, all the hubbub of election day at FC Barcelona was put on hold to enjoy a spectacular performance from the football team. Sevilla barely got a look-in as Barça stormed into the lead thanks to two penalties and never had to look back.

Raphinha finished with a hat-trick, Dani Olmo and João Cancelo were also on target, and Sevilla’s two goals mattered for very little.

The result means that the Catalans maintain their four-point lead over Real Madrid, now with just ten games remaining. And with a new weapon in the arsenal. Because today was the day that Gavi made his long-waited return!

the game as it happened

Two penalties

It took FC Barcelona just 38 minutes to rack up a comfortable lead, helped along the way by not one but two penalties, both of which were smartly converted by Raphinha, one 'Panenka' style and the other with impressive composure to again beat visiting goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos.

The first, after just eight minutes, was the result of Djibril Sow’s tackle from behind on Cancelo, and the second, on 19 minutes, when José Ángel Carmona handled the ball in his own area.

And this was happening with the likes of Eric Garcia, Lamine Yamal and Fermín López all on the bench, Hansi Flick perhaps having half an eye on the game with Newcastle on Wednesday. One player who was on the field was Xavi Espart, his first ever first team start after coming on as a late substitute a few days earlier.

Olmo makes it three

Barça were in cruise mode, and it wasn’t long before they’d notched up goal number three. Marc Bernal provided the assist and Dani Olmo slammed home the finish.

A finely converted Oso goal on the stroke of half-time pulled Sevilla back to within two goals and raised an element of doubt that was soon dispelled as Barça’s rampage only became stronger after the break.

Four and five

On 55 minutes the almost inevitable fourth goal came, set up by Fermín and finished off by Raphinha. The deflection off Gudelj certainly helped, and that was the Brazilian’s third hat-trick in the blaugrana jersey.

And there was more to come just nine minutes later when Cancelo broke free down the left, brilliantly cut inside his defender and slotted home his first goal since returning to the club.

With half an hour to go, Sevilla were chasing shadows as Barça played for fun, albeit with somewhat less intensity, knowing that this game was won and that there was no point wasting energy that was better saved for Wednesday.

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Gavi returns

But there was another treat in store for the fans. On 82 minutes, off went three-goal Raphinha to one ovation, and on came Gavi to another. A beautiful sight. A much-missed Barça player was back in action after an absence of 205 days. Every time he touched the ball, the stadium applauded. As did millions of other football lovers around the world.

Sow did head in a late second for Sevilla, but the visitors didn’t even bother celebrating. It counted for nothing and moments later the whistle blew on another fantastic performance from Hansi Flick’s fabulous team

More of the same next Wednesday would be perfect. It’s the second leg against Newcastle United in the Champions League. And don’t forget, it’s an earlier start than usual: 6.45pm CET. See you there!

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