BARCELONA: Sevilla came from 2-0 down to blow the La Liga title race wide open with a 2-2 draw against Barcelona on Saturday, letting Real Madrid, who powered their way to a 3-0 home win over Eibar, pull within two points of the leaders.

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

Neymar set up Messi for Barca’s first goal and the Brazilian then converted an inch-perfect free kick after 31 minutes but a determined Sevilla, who are now unbeaten in 32 home games, never gave up.

Ever Banega struck a 30-metre drive into the corner that Claudio Bravo failed to keep out in the 38th minute and, after chances at both ends, substitute Kevin Gameiro grabbed the equaliser six minutes from time when he slotted home Aleix Vidal’s cross.

“We were clearly the better side in the first half, playing great football and controlling the match,” said Barcelona coach Luis Enrique whose side will now have to regroup for their trip to Paris St Germain in the Champions League on Wednesday.

“It’s a shame that in three minutes they unsettled us and reduced the deficit. That goal changed the game. The second half was more even and both sides had options to win. Then we made a mistake and paid for it.”

Cristiano Ronaldo made sure second-placed Real kept the pressure on the pacesetters earlier on Saturday by scoring his league-leading 38th goal.

Ronaldo struck a free kick from distance and the ball moved deceptively in the air to catch out keeper Xabier Irureta and put Real 1-0 up after 21 minutes at the Bernabeu before Javier Hernandez and Jese Rodriguez made the most of rare starts by rounding off the scoring.

Atletico Madrid, who are third, 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.

Barca now have 75 points, two more than Real with seven games to go, with Atletico on 66 while Sevilla moved level on 62 points with fourth-placed Valencia.

Elsewhere, Santi Mina hit four goals and Joaquin Larrivey scored twice as Celta Vigo crushed Rayo Vallecano 6-1 while Thomas Partey’s double helped Almeria sweep past Granada 3-0.

Published in Dawn, April 13th, 2015

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