• Sergio Busquets left the game with an ankle injury after only four minutes.
• Barcelona beat Sevilla 3-0.
• Real Madrid waste opportunity to cut gap to two points as they lose at Mallorca.

Barcelona extended their advantage over the opposition in La Liga to eight points with their routine victory over Sevilla.

Jordi Alba’s sidefooted finish in the 58th minute gave the hosts the lead after a dull first half.

After 71 minutes, Gavi added to the advantage by converting Raphinha’s cross, and the Brazilian winger completed the tally by converting Alba’s cross.

Sevilla is now 16th after the loss, barely two points above the drop zone.

Barcelona’s captain Sergio Busquets leaving the game with an ankle injury after only four minutes was one unfortunate development.

On February 16, Barca will host Manchester United in the opening leg of their Europa League play-off match.

Real Madrid wasted the opportunity to reduce Barcelona’s lead to two points earlier on Saturday when they lost 1-0 at Mallorca.

[embedpost slug=”la-liga-fc-barcelona-and-real-madrid-continue-their-battle/”]