Youssouf Fofana scored his first goal for Sevilla to give his side an early lead against Barcelona. The midfielder on loan from AC Milan headed home a cross from the left by Pedro Correia in the 19th minute of the LaLiga EA Sports matchday seven clash.

The game at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán started with clear dominance from the visiting side. As early as the 7th minute, Lamine Yamal rattled a shot off the right post after a touch from Sevilla goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos. Shortly after, Pau Cubarsí appealed for a penalty for an alleged handball by Simone Castrini inside the area, but VAR did not intervene to review the incident.

A debutant between the sticks

Barcelona started Dominik Livaković, who was making his official debut for the club. The Croatian goalkeeper had his first notable involvement in the 6th minute, playing with his feet after a recovery by Rodri. Before kick-off, backup keeper Wojciech Szczesny embraced Livaković during the warm-up. "Szczesny, after warming up with Livakovic, gave him a hug showing his confidence for the match," explained Javier Gascón.

Play was stopped in the 16th minute to remember Antonio Puerta, the Sevilla player who died in 2007 after suffering several fainting spells in this very stadium during a match against Getafe. The tribute drew unanimous applause from the over 40,000 people present at the Sánchez-Pizjuán.

League context

Sevilla entered the match as the fifth-placed team, with 13 points after six matchdays. Their recent run of form, with three wins, one draw and one loss, had them sitting five points behind Barcelona, the outright league leaders. Luis García's side arrived in good spirits after a narrow win against Deportivo La Coruña last Monday, thanks to a goal from Miguel Sierra.

The squad, which has scored nine goals and conceded six this season, is looking to consolidate its position in the upper part of the table.

After Fofana's goal, Barcelona tried to react with intensity. Forward Anthony Gordon had seen a potential goal ruled out for offside in the 15th minute, an action that preceded the home side's opener. The match continued at a high tempo with alternating control of the ball, defining the closing stages of the first half.

The report in full is at Mundo Deportivo