Sevilla vs. Barcelona: Score, Grades, Reaction from Liga Game

Sevilla blew the La Liga title race wide open as they came from two goals down to claim a 2-2 draw with Barcelona at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan on Saturday evening.

After Real Madrid beat Eibar earlier in the day, the Catalan side needed a victory to regain their four-point advantage. A superb curling effort from Lionel Messi and a brilliant Neymar free-kick inside the first half-hour appeared to put the Camp Nou club on course for three points.

However, Ever Banega pulled a goal back for the home side seven minutes before half-time to give Sevilla hope. And with six minutes remaining in the game, a Gerard Pique error allowed Sevilla to capitalise with Kevin Gameiro levelling to maintain his team's unbeaten home record.

The draw saw Real Madrid cut their deficit to two points behind Barcelona in the chase for the title, while Sevilla's hopes of a Champions League berth remain intact.

Barcelona set off at a terrific pace, and it came as no surprise when Messi opened the scoring in the 14th minute.

Neymar played the ball to the Argentina international at the corner of the Sevilla area, and he found the space before curling a tremendous left-footed shot around goalkeeper Sergio Rico.

It was the least Luis Enrique's team deserved after showing the home side respect with their strong team selection and display.

Luis Suarez was denied a penalty in the 28th minute after Grzegorz Krychowiak brought him down, but it did not take much longer for Barcelona to extend their lead.

A free-kick on the left side of the Sevilla area appeared to be the property of Messi, but Neymar instead stepped up to send the ball over the wall and leave Rico stranded on his line.

Those scores ultimately proved vital as Sevilla hauled themselves back into the game seven minutes before the interval.

Claudio Bravo should have covered a long-range strike from Banega, but the Barcelona goalkeeper could only push the ball on to the inside of his post, and the shot ended up in the net.

It was a stunning first period in which Barcelona needed to be—and were—at their very best against an entertaining Sevilla side.

Some great play with Andres Iniesta set up Suarez for a chance on goal early in the second half, but the Uruguay forward was off target with his effort.

Messi looked to be clear for a run on goal in the 54th minute, but Krychowiak, who was already on a yellow card, produced a great recovery tackle to dispossess his opponent.

Carlos Bacca was then guilty of a terrible miss inside the Barcelona area when he fired high over the crossbar with only Bravo to beat.

Defender Jeremy Mathieu stunned Barcelona, the crowd and, arguably, the football world by attempting an overhead kick inside the Sevilla area, but he missed out with his effort.

Pique was harshly cautioned in the 63rd minute for a foul on Vicente Iborra, but the Barcelona wall blocked the subsequent free-kick.

Sid Lowe of The Guardian and ESPN FC expressed his dismay about some of the fouls called:

Sevilla wasted another opportunity moments later when Coke opted to attempt a chip instead of crossing into a packed area.

The momentum was with the home side at this point, and Dani Alves needed to be alert to cut out a Bacca pass to find Aleix Vidal.

Ivan Rakitic almost inadvertently set up Suarez when his shot was deflected into the path of the former Liverpool striker, but he could only find the side-netting.

Luis Enrique brought on Xavi Hernandez for Neymar in a surprise move in the 74th minute, but Barcelona needed a steadying influence against a threatening Sevilla.

However, the home side were undermining their own chances of an equaliser with a number of poor final balls with Barcelona under the cosh.

Seven minutes from time, though, Sevilla found the strike that counted. Pique gave away possession on the halfway line with a poor ball, and Jose Antonio Reyes broke through the middle before playing a pass to his right for Vidal.

The winger headed toward the byline and centred to the back post where Gameiro was on hand to make it 2-2.

"

Love how Pique’s been in amazing form for 3 months and then he does that

— Kevin McCauley (@kevinmccauley) April 11, 2015"

It was a deserved point for Sevilla, who had fought throughout the game, but Barcelona will wonder how they dropped two points after a dominant early period to the game.

Selected Player Ratings

Lionel Messi: A

The Barcelona star produced another sterling masterclass to ensure his team were ahead at the interval. A sublime strike for the opening goal, his 399th for Barcelona. 

Neymar: A+

The Brazil international was clearly inspired by his midweek rest from first-team duties. He provided the assist for Messi's goal and produced a superb free-kick for Barcelona's second goal.

Grzegorz Krychowiak: A-

The Sevilla midfielder epitomised his team's spirit throughout the game, and his stunning tackle on Messi in the second half deserved an ovation of its own.

Post-Match Reaction

"

Rakitic: "We're a bit mad at ourselves. We couldn't win after we worked very hard. We knew it's not easy here. Now we should keep going."

— barcastuff (@barcastuff) April 11, 2015"

"

Luis Enrique: "We were clearly better in first half, played well. Second half was more balanced, both had chances. We paid for our mistakes"

— barcastuff (@barcastuff) April 11, 2015"