Seville: A mesmeric Lionel Messi helped Barcelona to come from behind and beat Sevilla 2-1 in a thrilling encounter on Sunday as the champions kept the pressure on La Liga leaders Real Madrid.
Barca were put under immense pressure from kick-off and fell behind to Vitolo's 15th minute strike.
Messi levelled just before halftime following a slew of missed chances from the hosts.
The goal was Messi's 500th for Barca including friendlies, but he should have had more after the break as only a brilliant block from Mariano and save from Rico prevented the Barca captain turning the game around.
After the break, Barcelona took control and Luis Suarez fired in the winner in the 61st minute.
Villarreal beat Real Betis 2-0 to moved up to third, three points behind Barca. Fifth-placed Sevilla, on 21 points, trail Atletico Madrid on goal difference.
Sunday's meeting between Jorge Sampaoli's relentless Sevilla and a Barcelona side smarting from defeat at Manchester City promised a lot and lived up to the hype as a breathtaking end-to-end encounter ensued.
Sevilla opened the scoring as Luciano Vietto's through ball caught Sergi Roberto unawares and Vitolo swooped in to slot past Ter Stegen.
Sevilla grew in confidence and looked to grab another, Vietto firing wide from a tight angle and Vitolo crashing over the bar.
Sevilla were punctured by the goal and Barca dominated the second half.
Ivan Rakitic and Messi were both denied by Sergio Rico but Suarez showed more composure, sliding the ball through the goalkeeper's legs and ending Sevilla's 100 percent record at home in the league and Europe.
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