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| Sevilla 1-2 Barcelona | Match Report |
Barcelona put up a dazzling second half performance to get all three points in a tough game after they beat Sevilla 2-1 at the Sánchez Pizjuán thanks to a wonderful display by star man Lionel Messi.
The Argentina captain helped his team get the equaliser with three minutes left in the first half after Vitolo put the hosts in front. He then set up Luis Suárez for the winner and put up a very exquisite display overall as Barça keep on chasing Real Madrid at the summit of the table.
Sevilla started the brighter side, getting their first chance of the game after just around 30 seconds with Vietto having a shot easily saved by Ter Stegen. Sevilla already had two chances and one corner kick after just 90 seconds of football.
Barça had a chance to score the opener minutes later after Messi and Neymar combined in a counter attack to set up Suárez whose shot was saved by Sergio Rico. It turned out to be the only meaningful thing Barça did in the first half as Sevilla took over.
Sampaoli’s men kept on pressing the visitors and got their reward after 15 minutes when Sergi Roberto did poorly and failed to intercept a Sarabia through ball which found Vitolo and the Spanish attacker did well to slot past Ter Stegen.
Sevilla came closer to scoring the second more times than Barça looked to get the equaliser as both Vietto and Vitolo missed chances. They would go on to pay for it as Lionel Messi, who had been rather quiet, levelled for Barça.
Neymar got the ball on the left and dazzled past his markers before touching the ball to Messi who was out of the box to coolly fire in a simple curler to leave Sergio Rico with no chance.. Barça level at halftime.
Barça started the second half with much more momentum and took over the mantle. Messi terrorised Sevilla’s backline on more than one occasion, having a shot tipped over by Messi, firing one over the bar after a surreal run and then having one blocked by Adil Rami.
Barça kept on controlling the game and finally got the winner on the hour mark and Messi was the architect. Leo pulled a beautiful run before carving the Sevilla defence open with a great pass that found Suárez on the right and the Uruguay fired a well placed shot to beat Sergio Rico.
Nzonzi came close to equalising for the hosts but Barça still dominated and had more chances as both Suárez and Neymar failed to convert clear opportunities. Barça held on to the win, a vital one and are still second on the log, two points behind Real Madrid heading into the international break.