Sevilla travelled to face Barcelona on Saturday looking to improve on a poor away record in La Liga.
The home side had plenty of possession in the first period, but they fell behind after 42 minutes when Alberto Botia headed home from close range.
Barcelona were level early in the second half, however, when David Villa headed home following a Dani Alves cross.
The turnaround was complete just before the hour mark when Lionel Messi converted from close range to score his 38th league goal of the season.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Our final live La Liga commentary of the day comes from Barcelona as the Catalan outfit welcome Sevilla to the Camp Nou. Tito Vilanova’s side were surprisingly beaten by AC Milan in the first leg of their last-16 clash in the Champions League on Wednesday, but they will be keen to continue their stunning run of form in Spain.
Sevilla enter the match having taken 10 points from their last six matches to move into 10th position in the table. They are 12 points clear of the relegation zone, but some 10 points behind fourth-placed Malaga. They also enter this match having won just one of their 12 away matches in the league this season.
Barcelona have a near-perfect league record at the Camp Nou this season with 10 wins and one draw from 11 matches, scoring 40 goals in the process and conceding just nine times. However, they will have been hurt from that midweek defeat to Milan. It remains to be seen whether there will be any hangover.
TEAMS:
BARCELONA: Valdes; Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Montoya; Iniesta, Song, Thiago; Messi, Villa, Sanchez
SEVILLA: Beto; Maduro, Navarro, Fazio, Coke; Botia, Navas, Rakitic, Medel, Manu; Diawara
Here we go then. Quick word on the main team news. Barcelona recall Alex Song, David Villa and Alexis Sanchez, with Pedro, Xavi and Sergio Busquets among those on the bench. Sevilla, meanwhile, start with Diawara as the lone forward, with Alvaro Negredo on the bench. The away side get the action underway.
Decent start to the match from the home side with Messi finding Sanchez down the left, but his low cross into the box is cleared by Fazio. Barcelona really need a positive performance this evening following their defeat to Milan in the Champions League. Plenty of possession for the Catalan outfit early on.
Six changes in all from the side that started in the San Siro, but you cannot say that they have been weakened by the players that they have brought in. Sevilla attempt to launch an early counter attack as Navas finds Diawara down the left, but Pique is quickly across to clear the danger.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the home side to open the scoring as Iniesta drives into the box before striking towards goal, but Fazio gets across to make a fine block. The pressure continues as Messi collects possession, but the danger is scrambled clear at the vital moment.
One-way traffic at the moment as the home side continue to dominate possession in and around the Sevilla penalty area, with the away side simply unable to exit their own half. You just get the feeling that Barcelona need to score an early goal here to just settle everyone down following that defeat to Milan.
Not too much to report in the last couple of moments with both sides guilty of sloppy passes in the final third. The home side are certainly in control of the possession, but Sevilla do possess a threat on the counter with the pace of Navas and Diawara. I expect both teams to score this evening.
Decent possession from the away side in the last couple of minutes with Manu and Medel combining to good effect, the former attempts to cut inside Alves, but the Brazilian reads the danger. Messi comes close down the other end moments later, but his low strike is blocked by the ever-willing Fazio.
Barcelona have not quite been at their best in the early stages of this match as their passes fail to reach the desired target. Was last week against Milan a blip? Or are they starting to hit some troubling form? Only time will tell. A reminder that the second leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final takes place in this stadium next week, with Real Madrid the visitors.
It is so incredibly congested in the middle of the pitch at the moment as Sevilla continue to flood the area just in front of their penalty box. It is certainly working with Medel and Botia well aware of their roles this evening. We still await the first real chance of the match with 16 minutes on the clock.
Barcelona's best opportunity of the match comes to Messi as the Argentine strikes a free kick from just outside the penalty area, but the Sevilla wall remains strong. The pressure continues as Sanchez drives into the box, but Coke is across to clear. Sevilla have defended well in the opening 18 minutes.
End-to-end football in the last couple of moments with Sevilla testing Barcelona with the pace of Diawara, but Pique clears the danger. The Spaniard's pass sets up a counter attack with Messi in possession, but the Argentine is immediately surrounded by three players. Not much between the two sides in the early stages of this match.
CHANCE! The home side come within a whisker of taking the lead as Alves strikes a powerful effort from outside the box, it takes a huge deflection, but just drops over the crossbar. The resulting corner also causes problems, but Botia rises highest in a challenge with Pique.
CHANCE! Again Barcelona come close as Messi advances into the box before striking a low effort towards goal, but Beto gets down well to make the save. That is the first time that the Portuguese has been called into action in this first period.
Villa attempts to force the issue for the home side as he collects possession outside the box before slipping a low pass towards Messi, but this time Maduro is on hand to make the clearance. Sevilla simply cannot keep hold of possession, however, with the danger coming back with interest.
It is constant pressure from Barcelona as they continue to pass and probe outside the penalty area, but Sevilla have almost got through 30 minutes with just one attempt on their goal. The crowd is strangely subdued this evening. It is almost as if they are waiting for something to happen.
Valdes might as well go and make himself something to eat because he has simply not been involved in this match. He has touched the ball twice with his feet in the past 10 minutes, but no more than that. That said, Sevilla are fairly comfortable in dealing with the threat posed by the La Liga leaders. Another free kick is awarded to Barcelona outside the box, but once more Messi fires wide.
It's good work from Navas as the Sevilla winger beats two challenges before being chopped down in his prime by Pique. The resulting free kick is taken by Rakitic, but the delivery is poor. Sevilla simply have to make the most of opportunities such as that. Little under 15 minutes of the half remaining.
A reminder that Sevilla secured a 0-0 draw in the corresponding fixture last season. It is not against the realms of possibility to see that result occurring once more. However, the away side will surely have to ride their luck. Barcelona are not playing well at the moment, make no mistake about that.
Another free kick comes to the home side as Navarro, who picks up a booking for his troubles, fells Messi outside the penalty area. The resulting set piece is taken by the Argentine, but it is the same end result as Messi fires over the crossbar. That has just about summed up their opening period.
Decent spell for Sevilla in the last couple of moments with Medel and Botia seeing plenty of the ball in midfield. However, Diawara is ever so isolated in the final third. It is a surprise that Negredo was not chosen to start this evening. He is the man that you would want if the ball fell into the penalty area. Little over five minutes of the half remaining.
Slightly untidy period of the match in the last few moments with both sides guilty of handing possession away. There is just no atmosphere inside the stadium at the moment, with the home supporters waiting for something to happen. Have Barcelona hit a bit of a slump in their season?
The problem with playing as well as Barcelona is that you have to maintain those standards. If you don't, then people notice. Sevilla have hardly threatened in this first period, but the home side have tested Beto just once thus far. It could be said that the Catalan outfit have become quite predictable.
GOAL! Barcelona 0-1 Sevilla (Botia)
Oh my word! The away side have the lead in the Camp Nou as Botia meets a cross from Navas before thumping his header into the back of the net. That is his first league goal for the club. Some time to score it!
Barcelona are struggling here make no mistake about that. Messi attempts to respond as he fires a low cross into the box, but Botia is on hand to clear down the other end. It is the first time that Barcelona have been really positive in the opposing penalty area. The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional one minute of stoppage time.
HALF-TIME: Barcelona 0-1 Sevilla
Wow. The referee brings the first period to an end with Barcelona trailing to Sevilla. The home side have had plenty of the possession, but have only asked Beto to make one meaningful save. Can they turn it around in the second period? Or will it be back-to-back defeats?
Let's take a look at some statistics from the first period. Barcelona have dominate possession with 69% of the ball, but they have managed just one attempt on target. Sevilla have also had one attempt on goal, but lead at the interval. It has just been such a subdued performance from the home side.
What about the benches for this evening? The home side have an embarrassment of riches in reserve with the likes of Xavi, Jordi Alba and Pedro part of their all-Spanish bench. Meanwhile, Sevilla also have options with the likes of Alvaro Negreo and Jose Antonio Reyes.
As it stands, Barcelona would remain 12 points clear at the top of the table, but the away side would move into ninth position, just seven points off the top four. Could they make a late push for the Champions League?! Stranger things have happened. Right, the second period is moments away.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us for the second period. Barcelona do indeed make a change at the interval with the speedy winger Cristian Tello replacing Sanchez. It has just not happened for the Chilean, tonight or indeed this season. The home side get the half underway.
Lively start to the half from the home side as Messi collects possession before finding Villa, but the Spanish striker is immediately surrounded by two defenders. You just get the feeling that the next goal in this match - if there indeed is one - will have a huge effect on the final result.
Messi is involved moments later as he picks up possession from Villa before attempting to weave into the box, but he is crowded out once more. Pique comes forward from defence in attempt to stamp his mark on the game, but the tall defender cannot gather possession in a crowded box.
Tello shows the home supporters what they have been missing as he dances past two defenders before firing a low cross into the box, but Fazio is on hand to clear the danger at the vital moment. Messi wants a free kick moments later as he is bundled over, but the referee simply shakes his head.
Barcelona continue to pass and probe outside the penalty area with just Pique and Mascherano sitting back in their own half. Everything is quicker from the home side, but they are still struggling to create any real chances in the final third. However there is still a lot of football to be played.
GOAL! Barcelona 1-1 Sevilla (Villa)
Barcelona level proceedings as Villa meets a cross from Alves before thumping his header into the back of the net. Wonderful from the Spanish striker on his return to the team. Game on in the Camp Nou.
Sevilla come close to instantly regaining the lead as Diawara drives into the penalty area before flashing a low cross along the edge of the box, but Valdes comes out to claim at the vital moment. End-to-end football at the moment, but Barcelona now look capable of scoring on every attack.
The away side make their first change of the match as Medel is replaced by Kondogbia. If you haven't heard of this player, then you certainly will in the next couple of seasons. He is going right to the very top. Little over 30 minutes of football to play in the Camp Nou, with the scores level at 1-1.
Barcelona continue to create half-chances with Messi coming close with a low drive, but Fazio is on hand to make the block. Alves strikes a similar effort moments later, but it moves wide of the post. There is no question that Tello has had a positive effect in the second period.
Barcelona attempt to go direct once more as Iniesta whips a cross into the box, but Beto comes out to claim at the vital moment. You do wonder whether it is time for the away side to introduce Negredo as the match continues to become more stretched. Manu has a half-chance for the away side, but completely fluffs his lines.
GOAL! Barcelona 2-1 Sevilla (Messi)
Stunning. Just stunning. It is wonderful work from Tello as the winger cuts inside before finding Messi, who curls his effort into the back of the net. The Barcelona of old has certainly returned. He has now scored in his last 15 league matches.
Barcelona have been like a different team in this second period. Messi now ahs 38 goals in the league this season. He scored 50 in the previous campaign so he is well on his way to beating that total. Meanwhile, Sevilla make their second change of the match as Diawara is replaced by Negredo.
CHANCE! Glorious chance for the home side to add their third as Alves whips a dangerous cross into the box, but Fazio just manages to beat Messi to the ball, with the Argentine surely on hand to tap home. Little over 25 minutes of football remaining in this match.
Bit of a horror moment for Beto as the Sevilla goalkeeper slides outside the penalty area with possession in his hands, but the referee does not spot the issue. Sevilla create a half-chance moments later as Manu attempts the spectacular in the box, but the referee blows his whistle for a high foot.
Another half-chance comes to Messi as the Argentine thumps a powerful effort from close range, but it just rises over the crossbar. The home side still have two changes should they so wish, while Sevilla have one more. Little over 20 minutes to play and Barcelona continue to lead 2-1.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the away side to level the scores as Navas finds Rakitic in the box, but the midfielder can only slice his shot wide of the post. What an opportunity. Meanwhile, Barcelona make their third and final change as Xavi replaces Iniesta.
Not too much to report in the last few minutes with Barcelona comfortable in possession of the ball. Villa attempts to add his second as he drives into the box, but his final touch is just too long, with Beto on hand to clear the danger. Will we have late drama in this match?
Tello again comes close to adding Barcelona's third as he curls an effort from the edge of the box, but Coke is on hand to make a vital block. The resulting corner causes problems in the penalty area, but Fazio rises highest to clear the danger. Little over 15 minutes of football remaining.
CHANCE! Oh my word. What a chance for Sevilla to level as Rakitic finds Negredo. The striker takes one touch before chipping his effort over the goalkeeper, but it just moved high of the crossbar. Stunning opportunity for the away side.
This match is far from over make no mistake about that. You just get the feeling that there is going to be late drama this evening. Sevilla threaten with two corners in quick succession, but the danger is cleared, before Messi fires wide down the other end. Little over 10 minutes of football remaining.
Barcelona make their third and final change of the match as Sergio Busquets replaces Villa for the latter stages. A reminder that Barcelona are in action midweek when they welcome Real Madrid in the second leg of the Copa del Rey semi-finals, with the tie level at 1-1.
Ever so comfortable for the home side at the moment as they continue to keep possession in midfield. They have not been too impressive this evening, but it appears that they are heading for another three points. Another home win, another Messi goal. Business as usual.
Messi is not one to settle, however, as he challenges Fazio in a wide position, but the defender manages to clear at the vital moment. Meanwhile, Sevilla make their third change of the match as Alberto Moreno replaces Maduro. Little over five minutes of football remaining.
Just a lack of ambition from Sevilla in the final stages of this match. It is almost as if they have accepted that they are going to lose. Messi comes close to his second as he strikes an effort from the edge of the box, but it just moved wide of the post. Little over two minutes of football remaining.
The pressure continues from the home side in the latter stages as Messi whips a dangerous cross into the box, but it evades everyone before moving out of play. Rakitic has a half-chance down the other end, but Mascherano is across to clear. Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes of added time.
Possession football from the home side in the latter stages of the match, with neither side too interested in attacking. Sevilla have almost accepted that they were going to lose this match ever since falling 2-1 behind. Little under a minute of football remaining.
FULL-TIME: Barcelona 2-1 Sevilla
So there we have it. Barcelona recover from a goal down to record a 2-1 win over Sevilla. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and join us for more La Liga football tomorrow. Until then!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
