Evening all!
Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Estadio Ramon as Sevilla welcome
Barcelona in the game of the weekend in Spain's top flight. Sevilla have not lost at home in the league since February of last year, when Barcelona won 4-1 in this stadium. Unai Emery's side have also won each of their last five in the league, but Barca have recorded 20 wins in their last 21 games.
As touched upon, Sevilla have not been beaten at home in the league since February 2014 and they are the only team in La Liga that has an unbeaten home record this season. They are also in the latter stages of the Europa League as they attempt to retain the European trophy. Five straight league victories, meanwhile, have left Emery's side in fifth position, just one point behind fourth-place Valencia.
Barcelona have won each of the last five meetings between the two teams, however, including a thumping 5-1 victory at the Camp Nou earlier this season. Incredibly, Barcelona have scored 17 goals in their last five games against Sevilla and there have been some cracking games in recent years.
Barcelona are still top of La Liga on 74 points, but they are now just one point clear of second-place Real Madrid, who beat Eibar earlier this afternoon. The Catalan outfit have won their last six in the league, while they have the best away record in the division this season – winning 11 of their 15 games and losing just twice. They will enter the match off the back of a thumping 4-0 home win over Almeria on Wednesday.
TEAMS:
SEVILLA: Rico; Coke, Pareja, Carrico, Tremoulinas; Krychowiak, Banega, Iborra; Vidal, Bacca, Vitolo
BARCA: Bravo; Alves, Pique, Mathieu, Alba; Busquets, Iniesta, Rakitic; Neymar, Messi, Suarez
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. It must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium here. The home side get the first half underway.
Sevilla immediately break down the left and deliver from a wide position, but Rakitic is on hand to clear against his former club. No surprises that the hosts are pressing and probing in the early moments.
You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - will be vital in this type. It really is a massive fixture in the context of the La Liga season. Barca are enjoying a decent spell in possession.
Not too much to report in terms of chances thus far, but Barcelona are now in control of the ball as they pass and probe in the final third. Sevilla's main threat will come on the counter attack this evening.
There have been a couple of late challenges in the opening seven minutes, but the referee has allowed the play to flow, which is good to see at this stage of the match. Still goalless at the Estadio Ramon.
It has been a good spell for Barcelona in the last couple of minutes, with Sevilla unable to push past the half-way line. Pass, pass, pass from the Catalan outfit as they look for an opening. Eventually Messi strikes one from outside the box, but Krychowiak is across to make a block, before Rico denies Neymar.
Messi again has a shooting chance, but Carrico is across to make a wonderful block. Sevilla just need to find a way to ease the pressure as the away side continue to pass and probe in the final third.
Iniesta stings the palms of Rico as Barcelona continue to look the most likely in Seville.
Neymar shows wonderful skill to skip past two defenders before setting up Alves down the right, but the Brazilian is just crowded out at the vital moment. Not too much from Sevilla this far tonight.
GOAL! Sevilla 0-1 Barcelona (Messi)
Oh wow. Just wow. It is beautiful from Messi once again as the Argentine faces up to his defender before curling one into the far corner. It is just magical from a player that is in wonderful form at the moment.
Sevilla have been strangely laboured in the opening 17 minutes here. The home side have the chance to threaten from a free kick, but the whistle is blown for a foul on Pique. More frustration there.
Barcelona are just playing with Sevilla at the moment as they continue to pass and probe in the final third. Sevilla have not been great thus far, but all the credit has to go to the Catalan outfit here.
Vidal breaks through on goal for the home side, but the whistle had already been blown after Tremoulinas jumped into the back of Rakitic. Frustration from Emery, but it was the right call.
Iniesta combines with Suarez outside the Sevilla boss, but the return pass is just too strong and Rico is out to claim. You get the feeling that the home side cannot afford to concede a second goal here.
Not too much to report in terms of clear chances in the last few minutes, but Barcelona are still in control of the match. Sevilla have the opportunity to threaten from a set piece, which Banega delivers, but the away side manage to clear the danger. The opening 26 minutes have just flown past here.
Barcelona break with Suarez, who attempts to curl a pass into the path of Neymar, but Coke is back to make a vital challenge. Sevilla need to find a way of influencing this game in the final third.
BOOKING! Krychowiak (Sevilla) is booked for fouling Suarez just outside the box...
... GOAL! Sevilla 0-2 Barcelona (Neymar)
Another sensational goal. Messi leaves the free kick to Neymar and the Brazilian bends one into the top corner. It is just stunning from the attacker, who ends his disappointing run of form in serious style.
There is a sense of shock around the stadium here. Barcelona have been magical.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the away side to make it 3-0 as Neymar sets up Suarez inside the box, but his effort is over the crossbar. Sevilla are being absolutely blown away here.
CHANCE! Better from the home side as Bacca steps over a pass from Banega, leaving Iborra to curl one towards the top corner, but his effort was always moving high of the post. Unlucky!
GOAL! Sevilla 1-2 Barcelona (Banega)
Game on! Sevilla are back in this match as Banega finds the bottom corner from outside the box. It will have to go down as a goalkeeping error, however, with Bravo appearing to punch the ball onto the post and indeed into the back of the net. Good strike from the Argentine, but Bravo will be disappointed!
CHANCE! Sevilla have the chance to level literally moments after scoring their first, but Busquets blocks a powerful attempt from Bacca. Good grief this game is so incredibly open at the moment!
CHANCE! Another opportunity for the home side as Krychowiak meets a free kick from Coke, but Pique manages to clear in front of goal. Suddenly Sevilla are absolutely hammering Barcelona here.
This is a really super, super game of football. Where has the first period gone? It has flown past.
Barcelona have another free kick just outside the box as Pareja brings Neymar to the ground...
... Neymar leaves the free kick to Messi, but the Argentine's swinging effort is saved by Rico.
HALF-TIME: Sevilla 1-2 Barcelona
What a half of football in Seville! Barcelona took the lead after 14 minutes courtesy of a curling effort from Messi, before Neymar's stunning free kick made it 2-0 after 31 minutes. The visitors went searching for a third, but Banega's strike late in the half has given Sevilla real hope of a comeback.
STATS! Barcelona have absolutely dominated the possession with 73%, while they have had eight attempts - five of which have been on target. Sevilla, meanwhile, have had five attempts, but hit the target on just one occasion - their goal. There has been just the one booking, with Krychowiak carded.
BENCH WATCH! The home side have plenty of attacking options on their bench this evening, with the likes of Gameiro, Reyes and Denis Suarez - who is on loan from Barcelona - all capable of making a difference. Barcelona, meanwhile, have options in the shape of Rafinha, Pedro and Xavi.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Can Sevilla turn this one around in front of their own supporters? The visitors get the second 45 minutes underway.
No changes from either side at the break, which is not too surprising at this stage of the match. However, I suspect that alterations will occur if the score remains 2-1 for the next 15 minutes or so.
BOOKING! Iborra (Sevilla) is booked for a late challenge on Suarez.
Good football from Barcelona as Iniesta drives to the edge of the box before feeding Messi, who slides a pass into Rakitic, but his cross is plucked out of the sky by the tall and imposing goalkeeper Rico.
Almost an opportunity for the home side as Vidal makes a break for a loose ball inside the Barcelona box, but Bravo is out to claim at the vital moment. Surely there are more goals in this game here.
CHANCES! Two wonderful chance for Barcelona in quick succession, but Rico denies Iniesta from close range, before Suarez fires the rebound high and wide. What a chance for the forward there!
Plenty happening in terms of challenges at the moment as Suarez is hacked down from behind, but the referee keeps his cards in his pocket. Still 2-1 Barca, but both teams are attacking early in this half.
Coke lines one up for Sevilla, but his effort from just outside the box is wide of the post.
Krychowiak, who is on a yellow card, decides to launch himself into the back of Messi, but the Sevilla midfielder wins the ball and a dangerous counter is stopped. Imagine if he got that one wrong!
CHANCE! Sevilla have a wonderful chance to level as Bacca finds all sorts of space inside the box, but his curling effort is high of the crossbar. This is a proper football match at the moment!
We are getting to the stage of the match where both managers will be considering changes. It is still so open, with both teams threatening in the final third. Barca have a half-chance from a corner, but Mathieu's effort hit Suarez, who was in an offside position. Little over 30 minutes remaining here.
BOOKING! Banega (Sevilla) is booked for pulling Alves's shirt.
The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of moments following a number of late tackles. This game is so delicately poised with still plenty of time remaining.
Neymar sets up Messi just outside the Sevilla box, but the Argentine's effort is blocked, before the home side break straight down the other end. Still no movement on either bench as things stand here.
BOOKING! Busquets (Barcelona) is booked for a foul on Iborra.
BOOKING! Pique (Barcelona) is booked for a high challenge on Iborra.
Sevilla have the chance to threaten from a free kick in a dangerous position...
... Pareja takes the resulting set piece, but his effort is straight into the wall.
Sevilla continue to threaten in the final third, but Pique is once again on hand to clear the danger. Little over 25 minutes of football remaining and the visitors still lead 2-1 at the Estadio Ramon.
Barcelona have just managed to regain some control in the last couple of minutes, but Sevilla are still such a threat on the counter attack. You just get the feeling that there are more goals in this.
Coke delivers a dangerous cross into the Barcelona box, but Pique manages to clear, almost out of the hands of his own goalkeeper. Still no movement on either bench, which is a surprise at this stage.
CHANCE! Opportunity for the away side as the ball falls for Suarez inside the box, but his effort hits the side netting. Sevilla are preparing to introduce two new faces to the fold here.
SUBS! Sevilla make a double change as Mbia and Reyes replace Iborra and Vitolo.
Not too much to report in terms of clear chances in the last few moments. Barcelona have settled the game down, but there is still a lot of football to be played. Xavi will seemingly soon enter for Barca.
SUB! Barca make their first change as Xavi replaces Neymar.
Messi hits a free kick from distance, but his effort was always moving high of the crossbar.
SUB! Sevilla make their third change as Gameiro replaces Bacca.
Barcelona have just retreated in the last couple of minutes, with that change - Xavi for Neymar - allowing Sevilla to press higher up the field. Still more than 10 minutes of football remaining.
BOOKING! Reyes (Sevilla) is booked for an elbow on Busquets.
Sevilla force another corner as Reyes has one deflected wide from outside the box. Gameiro comes close to meeting the set piece, but Mathieu does well to win the header at the far post. Excellent!
You just get the feeling that there is still something for Sevilla in this match. Barcelona are not really looking for a third at the moment, which is a dangerous tactic. There is still a lot of time remaining.
BOOKING! Mbia (Sevilla) is booked for a late challenge on Messi.
Barcelona decide to keep possession from an advanced free kick, which says everything about their intent at the moment. It really is a dangerous game to play. Sevilla are threatening on the counter.
GOAL! Sevilla 2-2 Barcelona (Gameiro)
All square! Sevilla level with 84 minutes on the clock as Vidal squares for Gameiro and the striker just cannot miss from close range. There was an error from Pique in the build-up, but Vidal still had plenty to do. The home side have come from 2-0 behind to level and might now fancy winning this game!
The noise level inside this stadium is just incredible. Is there to be more late drama in Seville?
SUB! Barca make their second change as Pedro replaces Iniesta.
This has been a wonderful game and it has still not reached its conclusion. You just get the feeling that there will be one more big chance in this one. Little over two minutes of normal time remaining.
Tremoulinas delivers a super cross towards Gameiro, but Bravo just manages to claim as Barcelona survive. The away side are down the other end moments later, but Pareja clears Pedro's low cross.
Rakitic fires one wide of the post for Barcelona as we enter the first of three added minutes.
On the face of it, a point apiece is not the worst result for either side, but Barcelona were 2-0 ahead and will kick themselves if they do not score a late winner. Suarez breaks into the Sevilla box once again, but the striker cannot escape the challenge of two defenders and a goal kick is awarded.
End-to-end football as Bravo is forced out of his goal to clear, before Barca force a free kick, but Alves fires high and wide of the crossbar. It appears that this one will indeed end in a 2-2 draw.
FULL-TIME: Sevilla 2-2 Barcelona
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with the points being shared in a 2-2 draw. What an evening of football in Seville! Barcelona remain top of the table, but they are now just two points clear of second-place Real Madrid. Sevilla, meanwhile, extend their incredible run of home form. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good evening!