Raphinha scored a hat-trick as Barcelona defeated Sevilla 5-2 to reclaim their four-point advantage at the top of La Liga on Sunday.
After Real Madrid closed the gap by defeating Elche on Saturday, the Spanish champions cruised to a comfortable victory.
Dani Olmo and João Cancelo also scored for Hansi Flick’s team, which hosts Newcastle in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Fans flocked to the stadium to vote in the club’s presidential elections, with either Joan Laporta or Victor Font set to be unveiled as the next manager later Sunday night.
Following the 1-1 draw at Newcastle in the first leg of the last 16, Flick rested Lamine Yamal and gave teenager Xavi Espart his maiden start at right back.
Barcelona was awarded two penalties by a terrible Sevilla side to get off to a fantastic start at the partially reconstructed Camp Nou, which finally obtained approval to open the north stand.
Around 56,000 fans gathered, and they were treated to a rather routine rout of the Andalucians on the 14th.
Djibril Sow badly clipped rampaging Barcelona full-back Cancelo in the box, and Raphinha converted the penalty to open the scoring in the ninth minute.
The Brazilian winger was awarded another penalty to put Barcelona ahead by two goals when Jose Angel Carmona, who was lying on the floor, handled Cancelo as he attempted to dribble around him.
This time, Raphinha fired low to the left, and despite Odysseas Vlachodimos’ best efforts, he was unable to keep it out.
The hosts added a third in the 38th minute, when Marc Bernal’s deflected cross from the left found Olmo for a clean finish.
Sevilla equalized just before halftime when Juanlu Sanchez went in behind Cancelo and crossed for Oso to score unmarked at the back post.
Raphinha finished his hat-trick early in the second half with a severely deflected strike as Barcelona glided through the spring sunshine.
Cancelo rounded off an outstanding attacking performance with his own goal, racing into the area and scoring through Vlachodimos’ knees.
Barcelona coach brought on 21-year-old midfielder Gavi for the final 10 minutes, for his first appearance since August after suffering a severe knee injury.
Sow scored another one back for Sevilla in stoppage time, nodding home Oso’s cross, with Barcelona already thinking about Newcastle’s visit on Wednesday.Sánchez
