Lionel Messi's record-equalling 251st La Liga goal was enough to give Barcelona a slender 1-0 lead over Sevilla at half time.
The game's first shot came via the boot of the Argentina international, who looked to curl an effort beyond the reach of Beto at his near post, but the visiting keeper managed to keep the ball out.
Barca continued to up the ante as the first half progressed, and they were rewarded with a goal on the 22-minute mark when Messi found the net with his well-placed free kick, this time putting enough bend on the ball to beat Beto.
The strike ensured that Messi equalled Telmo Zarra's long-standing goalscoring record in the Spanish top flight, but further chances proved to be few and far between, with Daniel Carrico's clearance off the line from Jordi Alba's effort the closest that either side came to adding the contest's second.
Despite showing the defensive resilience to shut Barcelona out and avoid conceding a second before the interval, Sevilla were themselves unable to muster any real openings to go in a goal behind at the break.
Daniel Lewis
