Red-hot Robert Lewandowski and Pablo Torre scored twice each as Barcelona beat Sevilla 5-1 on Sunday to stay three points clear of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga ahead of next weekend’s Clasico.

Alexander Sorloth’s brace earlier helped third-placed Atlético Madrid to a 3-1 win over neighbors Leganes.

Madrid beat Celta Vigo on Saturday to draw level with Hansi Flick’s side, but Barca quickly restored their lead with a stylish and dominant attacking display.

Veteran striker Lewandowski scored 12 goals in 10 La Liga games, his goals stopping Pedri Gonzalez’s shot from the edge of the box before substitute Torre scored the fourth.

Stanis Idumbo grabbed a consolation for Sevilla in the closing stages, but Francisco Garcia Pimienta’s side were clearly beaten on his return to the club where he spent almost three decades in various roles.

Torre ended the defeat with a crossed free-kick that flew past Nyland and wide of the far post, and Barcelona were also pleased with Gavi’s return after a long injury layoff.

The midfielder came on as a substitute in the Barcelona jersey for the first time since his serious knee injury in November 2023.

“It’s too difficult, it’s not easy (to choose a highlight),” Flick said.

“Three points and five goals… but we are all happy that Gavi is back.”

Despite the upcoming duels against Bayern Munich in the Champions League and the visit to the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday, Flick started with probably his fittest and most fit team.

In addition to Gavi, the coach was able to name Dani Olmo and Fermin Lopez on the bench after injury, while Ansu Fati made his first start this season.

The Catalans took the lead when Raphinha went down in the penalty area following light contact from Peque, a former Barca youth player, and the referee pointed to the penalty.

Lewandowski, who stuttered on the run-up, sent Sevilla goalkeeper Orjan Nyland the wrong way in the 24th minute to give Barca the lead.

The 36-year-old striker is enjoying a new lease of life under Flick and leads the Spanish top scorers list with 12 goals in 10 games, twice as many as any other player.

Pedri soon doubled Barcelona’s lead from the edge of the box after the hyperactive Lamine Yamal set him up and Lewandowski created another good chance.

– Gavi ‘deserves this’ –

The Polish striker scored his second goal before half-time, turning Raphinha’s shot from distance into the goal with a flick of his boot.

Long-suffering Sevilla were given more bad news before half-time when explosive winger Chidera Ejuke limped off injured.

Raphinha shot the ball into the goal at the start of the second half but was offside as Barcelona gave the Andalusians the lead at will.

Yamal fired an incredible shot from a distance with the outside of his boot, which Nyland brought to safety with his claws.

At the other end, Dodi Lukebakio made a rare Sevilla foray forward but was ruled offside.

Barca midfielder Pablo Torre scored the fourth goal with the help of a deflection before Gavi was brought on for a frenzied reception with just a few minutes remaining.

“I’m really happy to be coming back after such a long injury break. I dreamed of this for many months and I am grateful to my teammates who made the process easier for me,” Gavi told LaLiga TV.

“The hardest thing is not playing and watching from the outside. It’s frustrating, it’s hard… I feel lucky to be back.”

Idumbo equalized for Sevilla (13′), but Torre ended Barcelona’s evening with a stroke of luck when his free kick hit the far post.

– Sorloth double –

Diego Simeone’s Atlético struggled against the little boys from southern Madrid, but after Yvan Neyou had put the visitors ahead, Sorloth equalized with a fine finish and Antoine Griezmann slid home in the second half.

Norwegian striker Sorloth secured the win late in stoppage time with a wild finish.

“In the second half we improved a bit, especially by speeding up the game,” Simeone told Movistar.

Atletico went into the game with just one win in their last five games in all competitions.

No fans filled the lower part of the south stand of the Metropolitano Stadium, which was closed by the Spanish Football Federation after some Atletico fans threw objects at Real Madrid players during the derby in September.

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