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Barcelona logo
La Liga
Sep 14, 2013 at 7pm UK
 
Sevilla logo

3-2

Alves (36'), Messi (75'), Sanchez (95')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Rakitic (80'), Andujar (90')

Match Analysis: Barcelona 3-2 Sevilla

Sports Mole dissects the action as Barcelona record a 3-2 win over Sevilla at Camp Nou.

Barcelona continued their perfect start to the La Liga season with a 3-2 win over a brave Sevilla side.

Sevilla had their moments in the first period, but a header from Daniel Alves ensured that the home side led at the interval.

The away side continued to impress in the second half, but a 75th-minute strike from Lionel Messi moved Barcelona into a two-goal lead.

Sevilla had one back through Ivan Rakitic late on, before Coke levelled at 2-2 in the final minute of normal time.

There was time for late drama, however, as Alexis Sanchez turned past Beto in stoppage time to secure an incredible win for the Catalan outfit.

Here, Sports Mole dissects the 90 minutes of action between the two Spanish rivals.

Match statistics:

Barcelona:
Shots: 14
On target: 10
Possession: 66%
Corners: 6
Fouls: 12

Sevilla:
Shots: 4
On target: 2
Possession: 34%
Corners: 9
Fouls: 15

Was the result fair?

The statistics will tell you that Barcelona dominated the possession and the goal attempts this evening, but it does not tell the whole story. Barcelona might have been in control for large periods, but they did not deserve to pick up all three points. Sevilla somehow responded from 2-0 down to level in the final minute, but they just could not hold on.

Barcelona's performance

It was the same old story for Barcelona - incredible in attack but very vulnerable in defence. It is certainly a surprise that they did not look to bring in a central defender in the summer transfer window. They have conceded four times in their last couple of league matches, but they will always score goals with the talent they posses in the final third.

Sevilla's performance

It has been a difficult summer and indeed start to the season for the club, but they put on a real display for their supporters this evening. They frustrated Barcelona for long periods in the first period and were perhaps unlucky to enter the interval behind. Not many teams will come back from 2-0 down against Barcelona at Camp Nou, but they were undone in the cruellest fashion in the final minute of stoppage time.

Sports Mole's man of the match

Neymar: It has taken the Brazilian a little bit of time to adapt to his new surroundings, but he is now finding his feet in Spain. He was just stunning as he caused all sorts of problems in the first period, before assisting Messi for his side's second of the evening. It was a night littered with impressive performers, but the former Santos striker was the star.

Biggest gaffe of the match

Stephane Mbia, who is on loan at Sevilla from Queens Park Rangers, had a solid match this evening until he was replaced on the hour mark. However, he was lucky to remain on the field in the latter stages of the first period when, having already been booked, he decided to push Neymar to the ground. The referee did him a real favour by giving him another opportunity.

Referee performance

Cesar Muniz had a fairly uncomfortable 90 minutes of action this evening. He lost control in the latter stages of the first period when he refused to stop play following a head injury to Gerard Pique, before chalking off a 'goal' for Sevilla in the second half when he decided that Juan Cala had fouled Pique even though little contact was made. Overall, it was a difficult night for the Spaniard.

What next?

Barcelona: The Catalan outfit are in Champions League action next Wednesday at home to Ajax, before they resume their league campaign away to Rayo Vallecano on Saturday.

Sevilla: Sevilla are also in European action in the week as they travel to Estoril in the Europa League, before travelling to Valencia in the league next Sunday.

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