Suárez stunner sparks Barcelona thumping of Sevilla

Barcelona romp to Sevilla thrashing

There was a different air to Barcelona this weekend, and perhaps it was no coincidence that Lionel Messi made his first La Liga start of the season. 

Three goals in ten minutes in the first half and before half-time the game was already Barcelona’s. 

The highlight was a sublime left-footed bicycle kick from talisman Luis Suárez, who appears to be returning to something like his best following doubts over his previously unquestioned starting spot in the side. 

Arturo Vidal quickly netted a second after latching onto Arthur Melo’s deft through ball, whilst Ousmane Dembele put the game to bed with a classy finish, cutting in and tucking it into the bottom corner.

The second half was a less convincing affair, but there was a moment to savour for Barcelona fans. Messi, who showed signs of needing to clear out the cobwebs through much of the evening, took centre stage, scoring a free kick late on as only Messi would. 

The game however ended in bitter fashion - Barcelona were reduced to nine as 20 year-old Ronald Araujo was shown a straight red after bringing down Javier Hernández when he was the last man, while Ousmane Dembele was shown a second yellow for dissent after the challenge. 

Nevertheless, the win continues the upward trend for Barcelona after a rocky start to the season, and they have moved up to second in the table, two points behind leaders Real Madrid.

Torrid start to La Liga season continues for Espanyol

Espanyol remain without a win in their last four La Liga games as they came up 0-2 losers to RCD Mallorca.

Despite enjoying nearly 60% of possession, the Catalan side were not clinical enough - both sides had four shots on target, but it was a goal either side of half time that condemned Espanyol to 19th in the table, with Mallorca in fact overtaking them.

King Márquez reigns supreme

It was only a matter of time, but Marc Márquez wrapped up his 6th MotoGP title with a win in Thailand on Sunday.

It was a thrilling way to win, as the Catalan rider pulled away from Fabio Quartararo in the final lap of the race to take the title in superb style, with four races to spare.

Márquez celebrated by hitting a giant 8-ball on a pool table to commemorate his eighth racing title, having also collected one 125cc and 250cc accolade. 

Unsuccessful weekend for Catalan basketball sides

It was a triple-loss for basketball sides Barcelona, Manresa and Joventut de Badalona. A late Barcelona surge was not enough against MoraBanc Andorra. 

The quarters were divided among the sides, and despite winning the final quarter 28-24, Barcelona could not find the killer blow and came up short in an incredibly tight affair, 86-84.

Joventut de Badalona did not finish quite so strongly - leading 63-55 going into the last quarter, fatigue appeared to set in for the hosts as opponents Burgos were rompant, running out 82-74 winners. 

Manresa fell to an agonisingly close 74-75 defeat against Gran Canaria, who picked up their first win of the season. A surge in the third quarter meant that the teams were level going into the final chunk of the match, but it was not to be as Gran Canaria clinched it at the death.

With all sides failing to pick up points over the weekend, the table is now looking slightly more bleak for the Catalan sides - Barcelona drop to 6th, Manresa to 10th and Joventut de Badalona 18th, the only side yet to pick up a win in the entire league.

Catalonia hosts Show Jumping final as sights set on Tokyo

The first round of the Longines FEI Nations’ Final was held in Barcelona this weekend. The teams are beginning to turn their attention towards the 2020 Olympic Games, to be held in Tokyo next summer.

There were strong showings for Belgium (1st), France (2nd), Sweden and Colombia (joint 3rd) and Ireland (5th).