La Liga: Barcelona blow two-goal lead at Sevilla

Catalunyans draw 2-2, allowing Real back into title race

MADRID: Sevilla came from 2-0 down to blow the La Liga title race wide open with a 2-2 draw against leaders Barcelona on Saturday.

Stunning finishes from Lionel Messi and Neymar inside the first half looked to have Barca well on course for a 10th consecutive win in all competitions.

However, Ever Banega pulled a goal back before half-time thanks to an error from Claudio Bravo and the hosts’ improved display after the break was rewarded when Kevin Gameiro slotted home Aleix Vidal's cross seven minutes from time.

Sevilla are now unbeaten in 32 games at home stretching back 13 months, but they were blown away by the visitors in the first half hour.

Neymar teed up Messi to curl into the far corner in with consummate ease on his favoured left foot after 14 minutes.

The Brazilian then made it 2-0 with a sumptuous free-kick to register his first league goal for nearly two months.

Sevilla were gifted a route back into the game seven minutes before the break when Bravo could only turn Banega's long-range effort into his own net via the post.

The equaliser arrived late in the second half when Gerard Pique gave away possession to Jose Antonio Reyes and he released Vidal, who in turn crossed for Gameiro to finish off a fine move.

"I thought in the first-half we were the better team, we played very good football, controlled the game and caused them a lot of problems," said Barca boss Luis Enrique. "It was a shame that in the few minutes we lost control we conceded a goal. The second-half was more even, both teams had chances but neither was superior. We committed an error and paid for it."

Real Madrid's 3-0 win over Eibar means the European champions now trail Barca by just two points with seven games remaining.

Cristiano Ronaldo registered his 49th goal of the season with the opener at the Bernabeu before Javier Hernandez and Jese Rodriguez made the most of rare starts by rounding off the scoring.

"Those that came into the team did well. Hernandez and Jese scored and we made a big effort to ensure everything went well today," said Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti.

Atletico Madrid, meanwhile, warmed up for their Champions League tie with Real in midweek with a 2-2 draw at Malaga as Antoine Griezmann's double was cancelled out by a Fernando Torres own goal and Samuel Garcia.

A point all but ends Atletico's title hopes, but moves them four points clear of Valencia and Sevilla in the battle for the Champions League places.

 

 

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