MX23RW : Tuesday, March 19 08:29:48| >> :120:23097:23097:
[monks data]
Barcelona logo
La Liga
Nov 22, 2014 at 7pm UK
 
Sevilla logo

5-1

Messi (21', 72', 78'), Neymar (49'), Rakitic (65')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Alba (47' og.)

Live Commentary: Barcelona 5-1 Sevilla - as it happened

Relive an historic night for Lionel Messi at the Camp Nou with Sports Mole's live commentary of Barcelona's 5-1 win over Sevilla.
2

Lionel Messi hit a hat-trick to beat Telmo Zarra's all-time La Liga goalscoring record and inspire Barcelona to a 5-1 rout of Sevilla at Camp Nou.

The Argentine opened the scoring with a sumptuous free kick, before scoring two more in the second half to take his total to 253 league goals.

Below, relive a night of history in Catalonia with Sports Mole's live commentary.


Sort:
Newest
Oldest
Well hello. I'm Shane and I'll be taking you through Barcelona's clash with Sevilla at Camp Nou this evening. By virtue of Real Madrid's win earlier, Barca go into this one knowing that defeat would leave them five points behind Carlo Ancelotti's side, who are beating lowly Eibar 3-0 as we speak. Very little margin for error against a decent Sevilla side then!

There is plenty to chew on (that's not a dig at Luis Suarez) but let's get into team news first, shall we? Why not. I'll have this very soon indeed so stay tuned.

BARCELONA XI: Bravo; Alves, Pique, Mathieu, Alba; Busquets, Rakitic, Xavi; Neymar, Suarez, Messi

SEVILLA XI: Beto; Coke, Pareja, Carrico, Figueiras; Banega, Krychowiak; Vidal, Denis, Vitolo; Bacca

BARCA SUBS: Ter Stegen, Bartra, Pedro, Rafinha, Roberto, Adriano, Munir

SEVILLA SUBS: Kolodzieczak, Rico, Reyes, Aspas, M'Bia, Gameiro, Deulofeu

Right so let's start with Barca then and I can tell you that coach Luis Enrique makes no fewer than SIX changes from the win over Almeria last time out. Luis Suarez and Neymar displace Pedro and Munir El Haddadi to join Lionel Messi up front. Elsewhere, Xavi returns in place of Rahina in a midfield of Sergio Biscuits and Ivan Rakitic. It's a much-changed defence, with Gerard Pique, Dani Alves and Jeremy Mathieu returning. Claudio Bravo starts between the sticks, of course.

Quite a few changes for Sevilla, too! Beto starts between the sticks, with Coke, Daniel Carrico, Nicolás Pareja and Diogo Figueiras ahead of him. Ever Banega and reported Arsenal target Grzegorz Krychowiak line up in defensive midfield, allowing the creative talents of Denis Suarez - on loan from Barca - Vitolo and Aleixs Vidal to flourish further forward, with Carlos Bacca spearheading the attack.

Let's have a look at Messi and, believe it or not, he's on the brink of breaking another record. He's already broken more records than a bull in a, eh, HMV, but the diminutive Argentine can quite possibly become La Liga's all-time top goalscorer tonight. He is one short of equalling Telmo Zarra's 251 league goals, and two away from breaking it obviously.

The 27-year-old (yes he's only 27 and achieved so much - depressing I know) has actually been two away from the record for the last four games, so you have to fancy him to bridge that gap eventually.

From 250 La Liga goals to zero now and will Luis Suarez announce himself to the division tonight? He's yet to score in any of his three league outings since sealing a £75m move to the Catalans, but you get the impression that a first goal isn't far away.

Who can Sevilla look to for a bit of inspiration then? Probably Carlos Bacca - no relation to Chew - who has struck seven times in La Liga thus far. But can he do it on a relatively mild night in Barcelona? We shall see. It's far from a foregone conclusion this. Prior to the win over Almeria Luis Enrique's side had lost their last two - including a 1-0 home defeat to Celta Vigo - so they've not been at their imperious best.

I can confirm that Real Madrid have beaten Eibar 4-0 to go five points clear of Barca as it stands. Big pressure on Barca tonight. Would you want a team like Real having a five-point lead over your team? Me neither. Click here to read how that one happened before we get underway here.

PREDICTION: That leads us nicely into a pre-match prediction, and I'll go for 3-1 Barcelona. I think a three-pronged attack of Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez would obviously strike the fear into any defence so they should most definitely have enough to win here today. Goalscorers too? Okay let's go for Messi, Neymar and Rakitic. There we have it.

Right, so the players are out on the field, high-fiving referees and officials ahead of kickoff. There's quite a jovial atmosphere for this one. How long will that last?

KICKOFF! Aaaaaaaaaaand we're off in Camp Nou, my friends. Barcelona get us underway. I fancy a decent game. Let's go!

Comfortable start for Sevilla so far. They've seen quite a bit of the ball but yet to really do anything with it; playing one or two hopeful balls forward that Claudio Bravo has comfortably dealt with.

There's palpable excitement when Luis Suarez gets on the ball. The Uruguayan ghosts past Figueiras just then before playing a cross-field ball to Neymar, who tried a neat one-two with Messi but goalkeeper Beto snuffed it out.

Brilliant from Suarez. He makes a mug of Figueiras once again, allowing Xavi's pass to run through his legs but Krychowiak takes him out of it.

Daniel Carrico is a lucky chap. He's slid in on Messi, going in late as the Argentine falls to the floor, prompting around 90,000 Barcelona fans to get the whistles out, but the only whistle that counts isn't sounded.

SHOT! It's been a really good start to this one and Messi has the game's first shot, looking to bend it around Beto at his near post but the Portuguese keeper comfortably saves.

It's a bit fiery this one. Carlos Bacca leaps in an aerial duel with Jeremy Mathieu, but the Colombian flings an elbow into the eye of his French counterpart. There's going to be a red card in this, my friends.

CHANCE! Xavi and Luis Suarez are running amok here. The Spaniard plays in Suarez, but the pass is a little bit over hit and the Uruguayan isn't quick enough to reach it before Beto gets to the ball.

Good block from Vitolo now, throwing his foot in the way of Neymar's ferocious half-volley from outside the box. It's all Barcelona but Sevilla have done well to limit the amount of clear-cut chances, of which there's been none. It's a big ask for them to keep this up for the entirety, though.

Sevilla growing into it a bit more in recent minutes. Coke flung a decent low cross into the box that Sergio Busquets cleared, before Bacca held the ball up to release Denis Suarez, whose through ball was snuffed out. Encouraging signs.

Great interplay from Jordi Alba and Neymar. The duo exchange neat one-two on the left-hand side, but Alba's cross is cleared by Carrico.

GOAL!!!! BARCELONA 1-0 SEVILLA (MESSI)

This is a sumptuous free kick from Messi, who bends his ball over the wall to give Beto absolutely no chance. He has now equalled the all-time La Liga goalscoring record, scoring his 251st goal. One more and he's making history.

It's such a big ask for Sevilla, who have fashioned little to nothing in front of goal as of yet. There is plenty of time left, of course, but it's going to be so hard to keep Barcelona out. They look in the mood.

Pique ruins Sevilla's first corner of the game, heading away powerfully to snuff out one of their goalscoring avenues just then. It was Pique who conceded the set piece so a bit of atonement there.

Very little to mention by way of chances since the opening goal. It's still all Barca but the game is yet to throw up a clear goalscoring chance as of yet.

Carlos Bacca and Denis Suarez aren't on the right wavelength at all. Bacca looks to play in the winger, but Suarez is a tad flat-footed and Alba sprints back to pick up possession.

This is poor from the referee. Martinez Munuera waves play on after Messi tracked back and fouled Krychowiak just before he was about to pull the trigger. He's not having the best of games, the referee. He could've booked about five players already.

BOOKING: Just as I type that, Munuera has produced the first yellow card of the game, with Coke the recipient for fouling Neymar. Xavi is going to whip in a free kick it seems....

It's a good ball but perhaps just a little bit too close to Beto, who catches comfortably. It was one of them that commentators say "it only needed a touch".

Referee has taken a step backwards in the competency stakes. Carrico takes Messi out of it with a late challenge that sends the Argentine flying, but Munuera has been given the benefit of the doubt.

Four minutes until the break and, truth be told, Sevilla haven't done much wrong at the back. Barcelona have not fashioned any goalscoring chances to speak of - a moment of brilliance from Messi gave them the lead - so Unai Emery's side will be bitterly disappointed to be a goal down.

OFF THE LINE: What a chance! Carrico pulls off a fine last-ditch block to keep out Alba, who looked for the all the world that he was about to double the lead. This is a fine end to the half.

HALF TIME: BARCELONA 1-0 SEVILLA

Barcelona have absolutely dominated that half but they waited until the final moments before fashioning clear chances. They deserve the lead obviously, but with just one goal in it, Sevilla are certainly in this.

Just seen the replay of Messi's brilliant free kick and, as wonderful as it was, Grzegorz Krychowiak was the only player in the wall that didn't jump! He's over six foot tall so a slice of the blame has to be apportioned to him.

They could, and should be, two goals to the good, however. Daniel Carrico pulled off a crucial clearance in the final stages of the first half to keep Jordi Alba. They've defended very well, in fairness to them.

we should really doff the cap to Lionel Messi, who equalled Telmo Zarra's record of 251 La Liga goals. What an achievement, and he's only 27! Lord knows what the record will be by the time he hangs up his boots. He'll want to break the record tonight, but he's got a big ask because Sevilla, as we've said, have defended very well.

RESTART: Aaaaaaaaand we are back underway, my friends. Let's go.

GOAL!!!! BARCELONA 1-1 SEVILLA (ALBA O.G)

Amazing! After dominating the first half, Barcelona are made pay the penalty for not doing enough in the opening 45 minutes. Vitolo skips past Dani Alves and Pique before delivering a dangerous cross into Barca's box, and the ball bounces off poor Jordi Alba and trickles into the net.

GOAL!!!! BARCELONA 2-1 SEVILLA (NEYMAR)

Oh god what a nightmare for Sevilla as Neymar re-establishes the lead almost instantly. Xavi whips in a fine free kick and the Brazilian glances a header past Beto. Too easy.

Can Sevilla get back into it? They've wasted all their good luck, by virtue of an extremely fortuitous equaliser, so they'll need to earn anything else they get.

Good defending from Carrico, producing a diving header to avert the danger from a teasing Alves cross.

Much of the same from Barcelona since going back ahead. It could be a cricket score but it's not going to be because Sevilla are pretty decent at the back so far.

BOOKING: Mathieu goes into the book for a foul on Carlos Bacca. It's only the second yellow but there should be at least five or six names in the book. No word of a lie.

SHOT! Ivan Rakitic looks to score against his former club by rifling a low shot at goal, but it's well wide of Beto's post.

I think we've just seen Sevilla's first shot on target! Vitolo rides a few challenges before taking aim from just outside the box, but it's blocked by Pique. Do we count these as 'shots on target'?

SUBSTITUTION: First sub to tell you about now as Vidal and Denis Suarez make way for Kevin Gameiro and another Barcelona loanee Gerard Deulofeu.

GOAL!!! BARCELONA 3-1 SEVILLA (RAKITIC)

That should be that, and it's Rakitic who heads past Beto following a sublime cross from Luis Suarez. He didn't celebrate, having just scored against his former club. Is that a good thing or a bad thing? It doesn't matter. 3-1 Barca.

CHANCE! Brilliant from Suarez again, clipping a ball over the top for Alba, who hit a first-time volley just wide of the post. Should've definitely scored.

Looks like Pedro is being readied by the Barca bench. Who is going to make way? Suarez has been brilliant, Neymar is on the scoresheet and Messi is on the brink of breaking a La Liga record! I'm glad I'm not Luis Enrique. Actually I'm not - he's rich and gets to watch Messi train every day.

GOAL!!! BARCELONA 4-1 SEVILLA (MESSI)

That's history, folks! Messi overtakes Telmo Zarra's La Liga record of 251 goals by netting his 252nd goal in the Spanish top flight! He busted a gut to tap home Neymar's pass into an empty net. Luis Suarez, still hunting his first goal, was there as well but Messi was having none of it. I'm sure he'll let him away with it.

GOAL!!! BARCELONA 5-1 SEVILLA (MESSI)

What a fine finish to rub salt into the sounds. The Argentine bags his 253rd La Liga goal, drilling a excellent low shot past Beto from just outside the box. He really is a legend, isn't he? Ridiculous man.

10 minutes to go and Barcelona and Messi, in particular, has well and truly put Sevilla to the sword in this second half. They had to, too.

SUBSTITUTION: Jordi Alba, who has been excellent, makes way for Adriano for the final nine minutes or so.

SHOTS! Adriano tries to get himself in on the act now, firing a terrible shot into row-z. Neymar's effort is a little better, volleying Suarez's cross into the arms of Beto. Six goals would be harsh.

SHOT! Messi wants a fourth, but it seems he'll have to settle for three after firing straight into Beto's arms. Lovely little flick from Neymar in the build-up. Those two are so good together.

THREE MINUTES ADDED ON:

You can await player ratings and analysis after this one, by the way. It's safe to say it's been a rout for Sevilla as five-star Barcelona impress.....eventually.

FULL TIME: That's it. Sevilla are put out of their misery as Lionel Messi makes history to inspire Barcelona to a 5-1 win.

That's all from us Barcelona, which means that it's all from me. Thanks for joining Sports Mole's live text commentary on a night of history at Camp Nou. Messi is officially the most prolific goalscorer in the history of Spanish football. What a man. Enjoy your weekend, my friends.

ID:189448: cacheID:189448:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:26929:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Barcelona's Brazilian forward Neymar celebrates wirh Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi after scoring their first team goal during the Spanish league football match Real Madrid CF vs FC Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on Oct
Read Next:
Preview: Barcelona vs. Sevilla
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Madrid29226164204472
2Barcelona29197360342664
3GironaGirona29195559342562
4Athletic Bilbao29168550262456
5Atletico MadridAtletico29174854342055
6Real Sociedad291210742311146
7Real BetisBetis29101273433142
8Valencia28117103232040
9Villarreal29108114751-438
10Getafe2991193742-538
11Las PalmasLas Palmas29107122932-337
12Osasuna29106133343-1036
13AlavesAlaves2988132635-932
14Mallorca29612112535-1030
15Rayo Vallecano29611122538-1329
16Sevilla29610133644-828
17Celta Vigo2969143244-1227
18CadizCadiz29313132040-2022
19Granada2828183058-2814
20Almeria29110182857-2913

Subscribe to our newsletter


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!