Sevilla 0-0 Barcelona: Catalans drop crucial points as La Liga race opens up

Spanish league leaders Barcelona were held to a goalless draw at Sevilla, leaving the title race wide open with eight games remaining.

Match Report

The result means second-placed Real Madrid could move level on points with Barcelona when they travel to Real Sociedad on Sunday.

Lionel Messi's free-kick skimmed the bar in the first half but Barcelona were frustrated by Sevilla's defence.

Lucas Ocampos also hit the crossbar for the hosts before the break.

Sevilla sat deep, often playing with five at the back, and it proved effective as Barcelona saw lots of the ball but failed to create many clear-cut opportunities.

Messi's free-kick was the closest they came, and Luis Suarez' first-time strike almost sneaked in minutes before full-time, but Sevilla had bursts of attacking promise - Ocampos and Munir El Haddadi forcing two smart saves from Ter Stegen from close range in the first half.

Barcelona forward Antoine Griezmann came on as a substitute in the 76th minute in an attempt to find a winner but did not make an impact.

On-loan Real Madrid defender Sergio Reguilon had a great chance to score for Sevilla in stoppage time when the ball fell kindly for him in an unmarked position in the box but he hit it straight at Ter Stegen.

The league leaders next play Athletic Bilbao on Tuesday, 23 June, while Messi remains one off 700 career goals.

Standings

Match Events

21' Messi's free kick stopped by Kounde

MESSI COMES CLOSE! Munir backs into Messi and Barcelona have a free-kick 20 yards from goal - perfect range for Messi. He lifts the ball over the wall and Kounde is well placed to head it off the line. Vaclik probably would have made the save had Kounde not been there, anyway.

25' Rakitic's long shot wide out

54' SAVE! Ocampos' shot stopped by Ter Stegen

SAVE! Ter Stegen finally has something to do. Ocampos drills an angled shot on target and the Barcelona keeper gets a strong fist to the ball to keep it out.

57' Munir's shot stopped by Ter Stegen

ANOTHER SAVE! Setien must surely be tempted to turn to his bench because Barcelona are second best at the moment. Munir is played in behind down the left, races into the box and forces Ter Stegen into a second stop in the same number of minutes.

73' CLOSE! Messi's free kick stopped by Vaclik

MESSI DENIED! Messi came close from a couple of free-kicks in the first half. This latest set-piece effort from range is pretty decent, too, with Vaclik having to help it over the crossbar with his fingertips.

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