Barcelona were too much for Sevilla on Saturday night at the Camp Nou as they recorded a hard-fought 4-2 victory in a game that was overshadowed by a serious-looking injury to Lionel Messi.
The two sides went into the game a point apart, behind surprise leaders Alaves, and a win would have taken either of them top. A draw would have even been enough for Sevilla such has their form been this season.
However, they haven’t played Messi yet and he had enough class that he was able to practically put the game beyond them with an assist and a goal in the opening 15 minutes, before he went off injured. The first came with under two minutes on the clock.
A clever reverse pass from Messi played in Coutinho on the edge of the box and the Brazillian clipped a lovely finish into the top corner from about 15 yards out. Messi had a goal of his own soon after.
Suarez put him in behind and he dropped a shoulder on the defender before putting a low effort beyond the reach of Vaklic in goal to double the lead. Unfortunately for the Argentine that was where his game ended.
Minutes later he landed nastily on his right elbow and went down in considerable pain. He was initially treated on the side of the pitch before admitting defeat and making his way to the dressing rooms with his arm strapped up.
Happily for the captain, his team-mates were able to get the job done without him, despite a few scares. Marc Andre ter Stegen pulled off a fantastic double save, twice, in the second half to deny Sevilla a way back into the game before they had a very legitimate penalty claim turned down.
Jesus Navas’ cross cannoned into the arm of Jordi Alba in what looked like a definite handball, but both the referee and VAR said no. The home side had a penalty of their own minutes later. There was little doubting this one as Suarez was taken down by Vaklic before dusting himself off to send the ‘keeper the wrong way.
Sevilla gave themselves a brief moment of hope with ten minutes to go thanks to Pablo Sarabia, but it turned out to be only part of a late flurry of goals from both sides. Rakitic scored with a superb volley - and didn’t celebrate against his old club - before Sevilla ran straight down the other end with Muriel curling home.
Ultimately, the main talking point will be the injury to Messi. He has gone for tests, but it is not yet known the severity of the injury. With games against Inter and Real Madrid next in the calendar, they will be hoping he makes a swift recovery.