Lionel Messi on target as Barcelona sneak Sevilla win

Lionel Messi helped Barcelona to stretch their lead at the top of La Liga to eight points with a 2-1 win over Sevilla at the Camp Nou.

Unai Emery’s side played their part in the contest, and were perhaps unfortunate not to come away with something to show for their efforts, but Barcelona’s individual quality told in the end, giving the Catalans all three points.

Vitolo gave the away team the lead after a positive start, only for Messi to equalise with a sumptuous free-kick from the edge of the penalty area. It was a moment that will surely make the Argentine’s highlight reel for the season.

Sevilla continued to cause the hosts issues at the back, but Gerard Pique netted the winner after 48 minutes following good work from Messi and Luis Suarez at the byline. With the gap between Barca and Atletico now standing at eight points, the title race might already be a foregone conclusion.

Is Lionel Messi the greatest free-kick taker of all-time? Another match, another astonishing free-kick goal by Lionel Messi. But even by his standards, this was a sensational one. Sergio Rico looked to have the right-hand side of the goal covered, but Messi still managed to find the top corner, whipping a powerful finish into the Sevilla net. So is he the best set-piece taker of all-time?

Luis Suarez (Barcelona): For the first time in eight matches, Luis Suarez failed to find the net. However, the Uruguayan striker was still highly productive, setting up Gerard Pique’s winner with a neat pass across the face of goal. Suarez is quickly becoming the dynamo around which Barcelona’s frontline revolves around.

Barcelona: Bravo 7, Vidal 6, Mathieu 6, Pique 7, Alba 5, Busquets 6, Roberto 5, Turan 5, Messi 8, Neymar 8, Suarez 8. Subs: Rakitic 5, Iniesta 5, Alves 4.

Sevilla: Rico 7, Coke 6, Rami 6, Kolodziejczak 6, Tremoulinas 7, Cristoforo 5, N’Zonzi 7, Vitolo 7, Iborra 7, Krohn-Dehli 5, Gameiro 6. Subs: Konoplyanka 5, Munoz 5.

7’ - SEVILLA SHOULD BE AHEAD! Some head tennis in the penalty area results in the ball falling at the feet of N'Zonzi, but he leans back and scoops the shot well over the crossbar from six yards.

14’ - OFF THE POST... AND THEN THE BAR! Wow, wow, wow! Neymar strikes the near post direct from a corner kick, then Suarez thumps an effort off the crossbar! How is this still level?!

20' - GOAL! Barcelona 0 Sevilla 1. The away side have the lead! Great play from Krohn-Dehli, Tremoulinas finds Vitolo at the back post with the cross and his side-foot volley finds the bottom corner.

31’ - GOAL! Barcelona 1 Sevilla 1: What an outstanding goal! Messi whips the free-kick with pace into the top corner of Rico's net. He went in the opposite direction to what was expected.

47’ - ANOTHER SAVE FROM RICO! Roberto's excellent cross finds Neymar at the back post, but the Brazilian's shot on the volley is saved at the near post by the Sevilla keeper.

48’ - GOAL! Barcelona 2 Sevilla 1. The home side have the lead early in the second half! Suarez's cross finds Pique only a matter of yards out from goal and he defender finishes into the empty net.

52’ - GAMEIRO SHOULD HAVE SCORED! Massive save from Bravo but the Sevilla striker should have made it 2-2. He was prevented from finding the net at the near post by the Chilean.

54’ - RICO MAKES THE BIG SAVE NOW! Now it's the Sevilla goalkeeper's turn to make a massive save, this time charging down Neymar's shot when the Brazilian was clean through on goal.

60’ - DID SUAREZ STOP THAT FROM GOING IN? Roberto's header from a bouncing bal might have been heading in, but it hit the back of Suarez as he made the run across the line.

81’ - N'ZONZI COMES CLOSE TO SCORING! The former Stoke man forced his way into a shooting position, but his effort flashes across the face of goal. Bravo was scrambling a bit.

83’ - SUAREZ TRIES TO FLICK THE BALL OVER RICO! I think he was trying to find a team-mate in the centre from a tight angle, but he should have taken it on himself, really.

Barcelona have now equaled the longest unbeaten run of any La Liga team in all competitions (Real Madrid in 88/89).

With 15 points, Barcelona have won the most points of any team after conceding the first goal of the game in La Liga this season.

Only Mesut Ozil (18) has assisted more goals than Luis Suarez (11) in Europe's top five leagues this season.