Sevilla 2-2 FC Barcelona: Suarez, Messi Save Los Blaugranas From Embarrassment

Sevilla had a golden chance to end FC Barcelona’s undefeated run, but failed miserably in their quest even though they had everything in their favour to pull a monumental upset.

For the first time this season, Barcelona looked overmatched and out of answers. Ernesto Valverde’s team looked lost and it seemed their magnificent unbeaten run was about to end, but it’s never too late with this team and these players. Similar to what they did in the UEFA Champions League against PSG last season, Los Culés came out of nowhere to clinch a 2-2 draw against a Sevilla side that should have done a better job of closing things out on crunch time. Franco Vazquez and Luis Muriel netted for Sevilla, but Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi saved Los Blaugranas with goals in the 88th and 89th minute.

Here are the three biggest talking points from this Saturday’s contest in La Liga:

Sevilla should have won this game

Make no mistake here. Everyone will applaud Barcelona’s big comeback late in the second half, and the story of the game will probably be how Messi’s presence once again saved Barcelona. But the game didn’t start when Messi entered the pitch. The game lasted 90 minutes and for the most part, Sevilla were the better side and there is an argument to be made to say that they should have won the contest.

Los Nervionenses jumped to a 1-0 lead thanks to a goal from Franco Vazquez in the 36th minute, and Luis Muriel doubled the lead early in the second half. But as if that wasn’t enough, Sevilla had lots of chances to extend their lead, and they made Barcelona look like an awful team at times. It is not a coincidence that Sevilla held the edge on scoring attempts (21 to 20) and total shots (16-15), just to name a few. They also wasted several chances in the second half.

They need to learn from this. Because they are in the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League. And if they allowed teams to come from behind like they did in this one, they will have several problems down the stretch.

Barca’s “never give up” attitude will pay dividends

The top teams in the world need to be resilient. The likes of Manchester City, PSG, Barcelona and Real Madrid might won most games solely due to their talent, but there is also one huge component of successful teams. That’s their ability to turn things around when things get tough. Los Blaugranas showed that in this game.

Valverde’s men were looking overmatched and fell into a big 0-2 hole early in the second half. But instead of giving up – and no one could have blamed them considering the challenges ahead – the manager rallied the troops and try to mount a comeback. At times it looked tough, but the team got the job done. That fighting spirit will be extremely useful down the stretch, because every single team will want to defeat Barca now. And if they never give up like they did today, they are going to be incredibly tough to defeat.

So.. what is going on with Messi?

There was a lot of speculation regarding Messi. The Argentinian star had missed Argentina’s two friendly matches against Italy and Spain due to what the press mentioned as a “muscular fatigue”… but there were several experts who did not believe that. Some thought Messi didn’t want to play with Argentina. Others thought he didn’t want to face Spain because he was afraid of being part of a embarrasing loss. But others were just… skeptical regarding his injury. He did not train properly so he started this game on the bench. But we only needed to see him touch the ball once to see there was nothing wrong with him.

Messi’s entrance changed the game for Los Blaugranas. His sole presence made Barca a tougher team to defend, and as it could not have bern any other way, he came through in the clutch when the team needed him the post. Messi received a pass from Philippe Coutinho roughly 25 yards out from goal, and he did what he does best: launched a left-footed rocket out of Sergio Rico’s reach and made it 2-2 in the 89th minute.

We can discuss and ask around to see whether Messi was really injured before the Argentina games. But he looked healthy in this one. And there is no question Barca need him down the stretch. Today was the best proof.

Match Report

Sevilla: Sergio Rico (5); Mercado (5) (Layun (5), 46′), Kjaer (6), Lenglet (5), Escudero (6); N’Zonzi (6), Banega (4); Jesus Navas (6) (Nolito (-), 81′), Vazquez (7), Correa (5) (Pizarro (5), 72′); Muriel (7)

Subs not used: David Soria (GK), Guilherme Arana, Ben Yedder, Carrico

FC Barcelona: Ter Stegen (5); Sergi Roberto (6), Pique (7), Umtiti (6), Jordi Alba (5); Paulinho (5) (Denis Suarez (-), 77′), Rakitic (6), Iniesta (6) (Alcacer (-), 81′); Dembele (6) (Messi (7), 58′), Suárez (7), Coutinho (7)

Subs not used: Cillessen (GK), Semedo, Vermaelen, Andre Gomes

Goals: Vazquez (1-0, 36′), Muriel (2-0, 50′), Suarez (1-2, 88′), Messi (2-2, 89′)

Referee: J. Gonzalez (Spain)

Yellow Cards: Mercado, Sergio Rico (SEV)

Red Cards: None