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Scored the opening goal against Sevilla: Ousmane Dembélé
Photo: Jose Manuel Vidal / EPA
FC Barcelona has at least temporarily improved to second place in the Spanish football championship.
The Catalans won the duel against Europa League winners Sevilla FC 2-0 (1-0) and continued their chase in the Primera División.
Ex-Dortmund's Ousmane Dembélé scored the opening goal for Barça (29th), while Barça superstar Lionel Messi (85th minute) made the final.
A series of six La Liga victories in a row came to an end for Seville, while Messi and Co. are already 15 games without defeat in the championship.
Dembélé picked up a pass from Messi and slid the ball through the legs of Seville goalkeeper Bono to give the lead in the 29th minute.
After the break, Sevilla came into the game better, but Barça continued to dominate and scored the second goal five minutes from time when Messi played a one-two with young midfielder Ilaix Moriba, 18, and hit the net with a well-placed shot.
With 53 points, the team around national goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen pushed past their eternal rival Real Madrid (52 points).
Los Blancos only play against Real Sociedad from San Sebastian on Monday (9 p.m.).
League leaders Atlético Madrid, who have 55 points, will play at Villarreal on Sunday evening (9 p.m.).
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