One of the most anticipated matches in the Liga turned out to be as exciting as promised.
Earlier it seemed as if Barca would walk right through Sevilla in their home ground of Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán as the trio of Messi, Bojan, and Pedro put Barca 3-0. Messi’s first goal just beats being offside by a hair but that was enough for the maestro. Check out Xavi’s gem of a pass that isolates Bojan for his goal. Just genius. Each goal was sublime.
Sevilla played a man down as Konko brought down Bojan 10′ minutes into the second half for his second booking and was sent off. It looked grim for Los Nervionenses but Barca slackened their defensive intensity and payed the price after Puyol making another egregious mistake let in Frederic Kanoute for Sevilla’s first goal. Pep Guardiola’s reaction was instantaneous.
In the 71st minute the Barca defense went to sleep as a quickly taken free kick arrived at the doorstep of Luis Fabiano who had the easy task of beating Victor Valdes. It was 3-2 and the Barca fans were breathing a bit heavier.
In the 78th minute Kanoute was pushed by Pique while going for a header and fell but Alberto Mallenco, the referee denied his appeals for a penalty. In between Andres Palop did a yeoman’s job limiting the damage. In the end it was all a bit too late.
Messi scored his 32nd goal and cannot be denied the Pichichi. He has 45 in total for this season. At this rate, he could carry Argentina to the World Cup title on his shoulders.
Barca meet relegation threatened Real Valladolid at home in what promises to be an easy win. Sevilla will duke it out with Mallorca for the last CL spot. So there is plenty to play for.