Sevilla: Sergio Rico; Mariano, Carriço, Rami, Escudero; N’Zonzi; Sarabia (Joaquín Correa 84’), Nasri (Iborra 78’), Franco Vázquez (Ganso 68’), Vitolo; Vietto. 4-1-4-1.
Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Sergi Roberto, Mascherano, Umtiti, Digne; Rakitic (André Gomes 73’), Busquets, Denis Suárez (Rafinha 86’); Messi, Luis Suárez, Neymar. 4-3-3.
Goals:
1-0. 15. Vitolo. Picked up Sarabia pass and ran on to shoot past Ter Stegen.
1-1. 43. Messi. Steered shot wide of Sergio Rico after Neymar laid ball back.
1-2. 61. Luis Suárez. Controlled Messi pass and struck shot under keeper.
Yellow cards: Neymar 10’, Rami 26’, Sergi Roberto 44’, Mariano 50’, Digne 66’, N’Zonzi 82’, Messi 83’, Carriço 85’, Luis Suárez 88’, Mascherano 91’.
Barcelona stay in second spot, two points behind leaders Real Madrid, after a 1-2 win at Sevilla in the last match of the weekend. The game got off to a lively start, Vietto and Luis Suárez bringing early saves out of Ter Stegen and Sergio Rico, and Vitolo latching on to Sarabia’s long pass to run on past Sergi Roberto and steer a shot past the visiting keeper. Sarabia, Vietto and Vitolo all missed chances as the locals controlled the first half, but with four minutes to go to the break Messi levelled the scores with a low shot past Rico after Neymar laid the ball back from left of the area. After the restart Nasri fired a shot at the keeper when free on goal, but Rico had to save from Rakitic and Messi, and with an hour on the clock Messi slipped the ball through for Luis Suárez to beat the keeper for a second time. After that N’Zonzi came close to levelling it with a header just wide following a corner, and only a great save by Rico prevented Suárez from adding a third for the visitors. Luis Enrique’s side took the three points though, and Sevilla drop out of the Champions League spots to fifth as a result.