Sevilla: Sergio Rico; Coke, Nico Pareja, Carriço, Trémoulinas; Krychowiak, Banega; Aleix Vidal, Iborra (M’Bia 70’), Vitolo (Reyes 70‘); Bacca (Gameiro 75’). 4-2-3-1.
Barcelona: Bravo; Dani Alves, Piqué, Mathieu, Jordi Alba; Rakitic, Busquets, Iniesta (Pedro 86‘); Messi, Luis Suárez, Neymar (Xavi 74‘). 4-3-3.
Goals:
0-1. 14. Messi. Cut in from right wing and curled angled shot across Sergio Rico.
0-2. 30. Neymar. Curled free kick over defensive wall inside near top corner of net.
1-2. 37. Banega. Struck shot from outside area which Bravo punched into net.
2-2. 84. Gameiro. Got on the end of Aleix Vidal cross to turn shot past keeper.
Yellow cards: Krychowiak 29’, Iborra 46’, Banega 57’, Busquets 61’, Piqué 62’, Reyes 77’, M’Bia 82’.
Barcelona’s lead at the top of the table was cut back to two points after Luis Enrique’s side were held to a 2-2 draw at fifth placed Sevilla on Saturday evening. The Catalans started strongly, Neymar bringing an early save out of Sergio Rico before Messi cut in from the right wing to curl a shot past the keeper. With half an hour gone Neymar made it two with a curling free kick into the near top corner of the net, and Luis Suárez could have added a third had he been able to find the target a couple of minutes later. By now Barça appeared to be cruising to victory, but Iborra fired a shot over the top, and shortly before half time Bravo could only punch a long shot from Banega into his own net. Rico had to tip a Messi free kick over the bar and then keep out a shot from Iniesta either side of half time, Suárez driving the rebound over the bar with the goal at his mercy. Bacca went close again at the other end though, and Luis Enrique decided to play it safe, replacing a disgruntled Neymar with Xavi. The move didn’t pay off however, and with six minutes to go Piqué gave the ball away to Reyes, and Aleix Vidal set up Gameiro to level the scores and save Sevilla’s unbeaten home record this season.