Sevilla have come from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Barcelona in La Liga tonight, reigniting Real Madrid's hopes of clinching the title.
Barcelona dominated possession from the first whistle, and Andres Iniesta managed to threaten early on with a powerful effort which forced Sergio Rico into a good save.
It didn't take much longer for the visitors to break the deadlock as Messi collected the ball in space inside the box before turning inside to curl an unstoppable strike into the top corner.
Luis Enrique's side continued to grow in confidence as the first half progressed, and it was Neymar who took centre stage for the second goal as he stepped up to give Rico no chance with a stunning free kick.
It should have been 3-0 moments later, but Luis Suarez somehow managed to send his effort over the crossbar after being picked out by Neymar.
After offering very little going forward throughout the opening 36 minutes, Sevilla got back in the match when Claudio Bravo somehow managed to help Ever Banega's low effort reach the bottom corner.
The hosts piled the pressure on in the closing stages of the first half, but Barcelona's defence managed to hold on to protect their advantage.
Iniesta forced Rico into another save after 50 minutes and Luis Suarez directed the ball over the bar from the rebound.
Carlos Bacca had an opportunity to pull a goal back, but his shot from inside the penalty area went wide of the right post in the 55th minute.
Suarez then had a good opportunity to score a third in the 69th minute but his shot went inches wide of the right post.
Kevin Gameiro completed the comeback for Sevilla in the 84th minute, scoring from close range after Jose Antonio Reyes's assist.
The two dropped points mean that Barcelona now sit just two points ahead of nearest challengers Real Madrid at the top of the table.
Jonathan McIntosh
