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Barcelona logo
La Liga
Nov 22, 2014 at 7pm UK
 
Sevilla logo

5-1

Messi (21', 72', 78'), Neymar (49'), Rakitic (65')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Alba (47' og.)

Half-Time Report: Record-equalling Lionel Messi fires Barcelona ahead

Barcelona lead Sevilla 1-0 at half time in La Liga courtesy of Lionel Messi's 20th-minute strike, which saw him equal Telmo Zarra's long-standing goalscoring.

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.

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Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona celebrates with his teammates after scoring the opening goal during the La Liga mach between FC Barcelona and Sevilla FC at Camp Nou on November 22, 2014
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Atletico MadridAtletico18125133122141
2Real Madrid18124241182340
3Barcelona19122551222938
4Athletic Bilbao19106329171236
5Villarreal188643430430
6Mallorca199371921-230
7Real Sociedad187471613325
8GironaGirona187472625125
9Real BetisBetis186752122-125
10Osasuna186752327-425
11Celta Vigo187382728-124
12Rayo Vallecano185762021-122
13Las PalmasLas Palmas186482327-422
14Sevilla186482027-722
15Leganes184681728-1118
16AlavesAlaves184592130-917
17Getafe183781115-416
18Espanyol1843111630-1415
19Valencia172691626-1012
20Real ValladolidValladolid1833121237-2512


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