MX23RW : Friday, June 4 22:17:13| >> :120:11744:11744:
Nov 6, 2016 at 7.45pm UK at Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán
Sevilla
1-2
Barcelona
Vitolo (15')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Messi (43'), Suarez (61')

Result: Lionel Messi inspired as Barcelona beat Sevilla

Lionel Messi inspires Barcelona as they come back to beat Sevilla and keep pace with Real Madrid.

Lionel Messi scored one goal and set up another as Barcelona came from behind to beat Sevilla and move within two points of leaders Real Madrid.

Los Rojiblancos, who had won all their previous five home games at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, started brightly with Marc-Andre ter Stegen needing to be alert to deny Luciano Vietto in the opening minute.

After continuing to press Barca high up the pitch during the early exchanges, Sevilla capitalised on a mistake from Sergi Roberto and Vitolo slid his close-range effort under the onrushing Ter Stegen, to the delight of a raucous home support.

Vietto turned provider on the half-hour mark as he crossed for Pablo Sarabia, who found himself unmarked with only the German keeper to beat, but the midfielder produced a bizarre flick backward as the hosts squandered the opportunity.

Despite Sevilla dominating much of the first period, Barcelona were able to draw level after Neymar cut inside from the left flank and teed up Messi, whose low curled finish beat Sergio Rico at full stretch.

After the interval, Luis Enrique's side started to get more of a foothold in the game as Rico denied both Luis Suarez and Messi with two saves in as many minutes.

Just after the hour mark, Barca's pressure finally told as Messi drew in a defender before finding Suarez on the right of the box, and the former Liverpool star slotted his effort through the legs of the Sevilla keeper.

On 72 minutes, Suarez almost netted his second of the evening after latching onto Neymar's through-ball before rounding Rico and placing his strike just wide of the left post.

Despite a near miss in the latter stages from Steven N'Zonzi after Ter Stegen flapped at a cross and a penalty appeal for a supposed handball by Samuel Umtiti, Sevilla were unable to produce a late equaliser and slumped to only their second defeat of this campaign under new coach Jorge Sampaoli.

ID:284781: cacheID:284781:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3886:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Did you know...?
Luis Enrique at the press conference after Barcelona training on October 18, 2016
Read Next:
Enrique bemoans Barca defensive lapse
>

rhs 2.0
Todays Game Header Right
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CAtletico MadridAtletico38268467254286
2Real Madrid38259467283984
3Barcelona38247785384779
4Sevilla38245953332077
5Real Sociedad3817111059382162
6Real Betis381710115050061
7Villarreal3815131060441658
8Celta Vigo381411135557-253
9Granada38137184765-1846
10Athletic Bilbao381113144642446
11Osasuna381111163748-1144
12CadizCadiz381111163658-2244
13Valencia381013155053-343
14Levante38914154657-1141
15Getafe38911182843-1538
16AlavesAlaves38911183657-2138
17ElcheElche38812183455-2136
RHuesca38713183453-1934
RReal Valladolid38516173457-2331
REibarEibar38612202952-2330

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!