FC Barcelona make history as Real Madrid CF edge Sevilla

KATHMANDU: FC Barcelona capped their title-winning season in style with a commanding 3-1 victory over Real Betis at Camp Nou, as Raphinha struck twice and Joao Cancelo added another in a memorable night that also marked Robert Lewandowski’s final home appearance for the Catalan giants.

Lewandowski, who recently announced he will leave Barcelona at the end of the season, started as captain and played 85 minutes before receiving a standing ovation from the home supporters late in the match.

Barcelona took the lead in the 28th minute when Raphinha curled in a brilliant free-kick. The Brazilian winger doubled the advantage in the 62nd minute after capitalising on a misplaced pass from Hector Bellerin.

Betis pulled one back seven minutes later through Isco, who converted from the penalty spot, but Cancelo restored Barcelona’s two-goal cushion in the 74th minute with a superb finish to seal the victory.

The win also saw Barcelona complete a historic clean sweep at home, becoming the first team in La Liga history to win all 19 league matches at their own stadium in a single season.

Meanwhile, second-placed Real Madrid CF edged Sevilla FC 1-0 at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium thanks to an early strike from Vinicius Junior.

The decisive goal came in the 15th minute when Brahim Diaz delivered a cross that Kylian Mbappe cleverly redirected into the path of Vinicius, who calmly finished to hand Madrid the lead.

Sevilla pushed hard for an equaliser in the closing stages, but goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois produced several crucial saves to preserve Madrid’s narrow victory.

Real Madrid, who had already secured a second-place finish in La Liga, added three more points, while Sevilla remain under serious threat of relegation heading into the final stretch of the season.