Madrid: Barcelona continued their record-breaking start to a La Liga season by beating Sevilla 2-1 thanks to a sensational double by Paco Alcacer in an atmosphere at the Camp Nou marked by the political upheaval in Catalonia. This was their 10th win in their opening 11 La Liga matches.
A huge Catalan flag and banners reading ‘justice’ in Catalan and English were displayed before kick-off after eight ministers of the Catalan government deposed by Madrid were detained pending a possible trial for their roles in the drive for Catalan independence.
Loud cries of ‘freedom’ also rang around Europe’s largest stadium sporadically throughout the 90 minutes. Two other banners reading ‘Freedom for political prisoners’ and ‘Europe shame on you’ were held up by the Barca singing section behind one of the goals.
Alcacer opened the scoring on his first league start since the first day of the season. Suarez’s cross-field pass was mis-controlled horribly by Sergio Escudero and fell perfectly for Alcacer to slot past the advancing Soria.
Sevilla came out a different side after the break and levelled just before the hour mark when a bullet header by Guido Pizarro from an Ever Banega’s corner found the back of the net. Barca reacted immediately, though, and just six minutes later got the winner when Alcacer turned home Rakitic’s precise cross at the near post.
On his 600th Barca appearance, Lionel Messi had the chance to make the game safe when his low effort was saved by Soria, but Barca held on to move 11 points clear of Real Madrid and four clear of second-placed Valencia who swept aside Leganes 3-0 for a club record seventh straight league win.
Atletico Madrid’s struggle for goals continues but Diego Simeone’s men were bailed out by Thomas Partey’s 91st-minute winner in a 1-0 victory at Deportivo la Coruna.
agence france-presse
