Sevilla came from 2-0 behind to claim a point in a pulsating 2-2 draw with Barcelona in La Liga on Sunday.
Strikes from Lionel Messi and Neymar had left the visitors with a 2-0 lead approaching the latter stages of the first period, but Ever Banega had one back for Sevilla late in the half.
Sevilla continued to improve in the second 45 minutes and ensured that their 14-month unbeaten home league record remained in tact courtesy of a late equaliser from Kevin Gameiro.
Barcelona are now just two points clear of second-place Real Madrid, while Sevilla remain fifth.
Here, Sports Mole dissects the 90 minutes of action in Seville.
Match statistics
SEVILLA
Shots: 11
On target: 2
Possession: 30%
Corners: 2
Fouls: 22
BARCELONA
Shots: 17
On target: 7
Possession: 70%
Corners: 4
Fouls: 9
Was the result fair?
To be honest, this is a really difficult question to answer. One look at the statistics would suggest that Barcelona were extremely unfortunate not to claim all the points. The visitors dominated possession (70%) and had five more attempts on target. Indeed, Sevilla only hit the target twice and both efforts brought goals. However, when reviewing the match as a whole, it is difficult to argue that the home side did not deserve something for their efforts. After 31 minutes, Barcelona led 2-0 and the game looked over, but against the run of play, Banega handed Sevilla a route back into the match late in the first half.
Barcelona continued to dominate possession after the break, but there is absolutely no question that Sevilla improved in the second period and they were, for long spells, the more adventurous team. Luis Suarez had a golden chance to put Barcelona 3-1 ahead just five minutes into the second half, but he fired high of the crossbar. A couple of negative changes from Barca boss Luis Enrique allowed Sevilla to press higher up the field and they got their reward late on when Gameiro converted. Both of the Sevilla goals came from Barca mistakes and that will hurt the visitors more than anything. It is difficult to argue that Sevilla deserved all the points, especially after the first period, but a late equaliser was certainly not unjust in terms of the result.
Sevilla's performance
Entering this match, Sevilla's last home league defeat was to Barcelona in February of last year. The Catalan outfit won 4-1 on that day and the natives must have been fearing the worst when the visitors raced into a two-goal lead in Seville. However, this Sevilla team has so much character and determination, which has seen them enjoy a wonderful season to date. In truth, neither side had much in the opening 14 minutes and it took a stunning effort from Messi to make the breakthrough. Barca controlled matters for the 20 minutes that followed, however, and had their second when Neymar bent a super free kick into the top corner. They were two efforts of the highest level, but head coach Unai Emery would have been disappointed with his side's performance. There was no real work-rate or pressing and Barcelona were threatening to run riot.
The defining moment came late in the first half, however, when Banega found the bottom corner from outside the box. It was a good strike from the Argentine, but Barca stopper Claudio Bravo will feel that he should have saved it. That changed Sevilla's mind-set and they improved in the second period. It did not quite happen for leading scorer Carlos Bacca, but the Colombian's replacement, Gameiro, showed his class off the bench to steer Aleix Vidal's low cross into the back of the net. Barcelona had bits and pieces in the second period, but there is no doubting that the hosts were the better team as they continued to pass and probe in the final third. Such was the atmosphere inside the stadium, Sevilla were the side pushing for a winner and they had a couple of half-chances to complete the turnaround. It is now seven league games without a defeat for Sevilla, while they have joined fourth-place Valencia on 62 points. The race for the top four, which also includes Atletico Madrid, is looking as if it will go right down to the wire this season.
Barcelona's performance
As mentioned, Barcelona were the last team to beat Sevilla in the league at the Estadio Ramon and having won 20 of their last 21 games in all competitions, they would have fancied their chances of collecting another three points from Seville. It took a moment of absolute magic from Messi to make the breakthrough and when Neymar curled a free kick into the top corner after 31 minutes, it should have been game over. Suarez had a brilliant chance to make it 3-0 before Sevilla registered, but the striker brought a smart save from Sergio Rico. No team had gone to Sevilla and outperformed them like Barca did in the opening 35 minutes or so, but Sevilla had a vital lifeline late in the first period through Banega. Even with the goal, Barca were still big favourites at that stage, but there was a sense of nervousness about their second-half display.
Aside from two quick-fire chances early in the second half, Barca did not have much in terms of opportunities in the second 45 minutes and they continued to drop deeper and deeper. It was also strange to see Enrique replace Neymar with Xavi, which allowed Sevilla to press high up the field for the final 20 minutes or so. On the other hand, Emery made positive changes and Jose Antonio Reyes made an impact in the final third. It was a sloppy piece of defending that brought the leveller, however, with Gerard Pique conceding possession to Reyes, who set up Vidal before Gameiro converted the Spaniard's low cross. The Catalan outfit were on course for another vital three points, which would seen them regain their four-point lead at the summit, but the lead is now just two points after Real Madrid beat Eibar. To be honest, a point at Sevilla is far from disastrous, but Barca will be really kicking themselves here.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Ever Banega: The Argentine has certainly had his problems in the past, but he seems to have found a home at Sevilla and that is being shown in his performances. The midfielder registered for Sevilla late in the first period, but it wasn't just his goal that impressed. The 26-year-old always wanted the ball and helped set up a number of quick counter-attacks. It was a wonderful midfield display from Banega.
Biggest gaffe
Barcelona defender Pique will not look too fondly upon his role in Sevilla's equaliser, while Suarez was guilty of missing a couple of golden chances for the visitors. That said, Bravo made the biggest gaffe of the night. Banega's strike after 38 minutes had plenty of power, but the Barcelona goalkeeper got a hand to the ball and seemingly punched it onto the post and into the back of the net. A firm palm from the Chilean would have surely kept it out, but the decision to close his fist and attempt to punch was a strange one. Bravo has had a fine season, but he will be disappointed with his part in that goal.
Referee performance
There were not really any major incidents in terms of penalty appeals or the like, but referee Juan Martinez had a mixed game in Seville. There were too many inconsistencies in terms of bookings, with certain challenges bringing cards while others of a similar nature were let go. There were also times when Martinez was too picky with tackles, which the home supporters did not appreciate. The official did not do anything majorly wrong, but there were some grumblings in the stadium.
What next?
Sevilla: Emery's side will welcome Zenit St Petersburg for the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final on Thursday, before returning to league action away to struggling Granada on April 19.
Barcelona: The Catalan outfit will travel to Paris Saint-Germain for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Wednesday. It does not get any easier in the league, meanwhile, as they welcome high-flying Valencia to the Camp Nou next Saturday afternoon.
Matt Law
