Barcelona against Sevilla

Barcelona will surely look to see this game out now. They've cracked the seemingly impenetrable Sevilla defence twice and that has to be job done.

The mood inside Camp Nou has, as you would expect, changed dramatically now. The ole's meet every Barca touch and the confidence is up for the Catalans.

Frustration starting to creep in for Sevilla now and Kanoute becomes the fifth man to see yellow for the visitors - this one for a lazy trip on Giovanni.

Delightful sweeping move from Barca almost brings Messi his hat-trick. Henry and the little Argentine combine superbly down the left before Messi drilled a shot goalwards. Credit Palop who stood tall to repel the effort.

Alves makes way for Marti as Sevilla look to mix things up but it will take some effort to get back into this one.

Game over! LIONEL MESSI steps up and nonchalant dispatches the spot kick with ease.

GOAL: BARCELONA 2-0 SEVILLA

Poulsen has ludicrously wrapped his arms around Giovanni inside the box while defending a corner and it's a blatant penalty.

PENALTY: BARCELONA

Sublime cross from Giovanni forces Duda into making a vital clearance at the back post with Iniesta charging in.

Stage one of that process is to bring on Alexander Kerzhakov for Navas.

How will Sevilla respond now? They had looked to be heading for that precious point but now must attack to try to secure it.

I wouldn't be exaggerating to say it was an exquisite goal that was beautifully created by Henry and magnificently finished off by Messi. Not sure I've ever used that many superlatives in a goal description before but that one justifies it.

Minutes after Henry's miss, he turns provider for LIONEL MESSI who flicks the ball up inside the box and acrobatically volleys low into the bottom corner.

GOAL: BARCELONA 1-0 SEVILLA

Incredible chance for Henry. He evaded the Sevilla offside trap and tried to sneak a sidefooted effort underneath Palop. But the keeper gets just enough on it and the ball squirms under him and on to the post. Alves races back and clears the danger. Wonderful effort from Henry.

Wherever the ball is, the pink shirts are hunting it down in packs of two's and three's.

Sevilla get a free-kick on the left edge of the box. Duda hits it but his standing leg gives way and the end result isn't too pretty - it spoons up and well over the bar and Duda is not best pleased with himself.

No danger from the set piece but Sevilla won't mind too much. They're doing more than enough to make Rijkaard and co fidget on the Barca bench.

Milito concedes a free-kick a long way from goal but it gives the visitors chance to push forward and relieve the pressure.

Henry has adopted a much wider for in attack for Barca now with Messi spearheading the front line. It's not working for them yet, though.

Sevilla enjoy a couple minutes on the ball and the home fans show their dissatisfaction with a chorus of jeers. Ramos looks quite content on the sidelines, and why wouldn't he be?

You have to admire Sevilla's approach tonight. If they manage to withstand the pressure for the remaining half hour it will be a fine achievement. But Barca are starting to look dangerous with both wingers coming into the game.

A change for the hosts and it's the highly rated Giovanni dos Santos who comes on to replace Xavi. The captain's armabnd is handed to Victor Valdes as Barca increase their attacking options.

The fans in the Camp Nou sense that their side are beginning to turn the screw. A couple of decent openings and that chance for Marquez has raised the temperature for the Catalans.

Better delivery from a Barca corner and Marquez gets up well only to see his glancing header flick the outside of the post. Decent chance for Barca who are now starting to increase the pressure.

Another booking for Sevilla which leaves three of their players walking the tightrope. Poulsen is the latest to get his name taken after clipping Deco.

Incredible miss from Henry. The home side's clearest chance of the night goes begging as the Frenchman somehow nods wide from three yards out. Deco's cross caught the Sevilla defence sleeping and Henry fluffed his lines.

No one likes marking Messi do they? Dragutinovic hasn't enjoyed it one bit tonight and gets his name taken for a clumsy challenge from behind.

Barcelona just starting to inject a higher tempo into this game. Abidal opens up down the left flank but again the cross is poor and Sevilla are allowed to clear.

Xavi takes over free-kick duties from the left after Deco's poor first-half efforts. Unfortunately the Spaniard fares no better and Sevilla easily clear the cross.

One goal either way might settle this one, particularly if Sevilla edge ahead. But I wonder how they would react the falling a goal behind. They crumbled when Arsenal scored their first on Wednesday and it would be interesting to see if it brought them out of their shell.

Late, late flag for Kanoute who had evaded the Barca defence. He was well off but one false move from the Barca back line and Kanoute will fancy his chances.

Early yellow card for Keita for a challenge on Marquez. He caught the big Mexican late and doesn't have many complaints.

I wonder whether Sevilla would settle for 0-0. I suspect they would but it would be disappointing for the neutral if they were. Maybe Ramos is confident of catching Barca on the break like Renato almost did in the first half.

The stats tell us that Barca enjoyed 62% of possession in the first half, but crucially the goals column still reads zero. What will Rijkaard have said to motivate his players during the interval?

The players are back out and ready for the second half. No changes at the break and Sevilla get us back under way.

Barcelona have huffed and puffed but Sevilla have stood firm. They have even enjoyed the best chance of the half when Renato headed against the up right. Join us for the second half shortly.

HALF-TIME: BARCELONA 0-0 SEVILLA

It may take a moment of magic to unlock Sevilla at this rate and Deco almost provides it. He swipes a wonderful, swerving shot from 25 yards that just shaves the outside of the post. Palop was well beaten but Sevilla survive.

Dragutinovic and Poulsen look to have got a hold of Messi now and doubling up on markers seems to be a key ploy of the Sevilla defensive effort. Right around the pitch they're pressing their markers.

The final ball from Barca just hasn't been up to scratch this half. They'll need to shake things up in the second half if they want to break this stubborn Sevilla back line.

Deco passes up the chance to shoot and tees up Yaya Toure who whacks a low drive goalwards. It takes a deflection and pings out for a corner and Palop tidies up after a wasted cross by Deco.

Ramos will be by far the happier of the two coaches if the scores remain this way at the break. Barca can't get going and the supporters are not best pleased.

Stupid yellow card for Navas who needlessly kicks the ball away for a foul on Messi. Schoolboy stuff from the winger.

Sevilla are well aware of the threat that Barca's front three pose and they're hustling them whenever they receive the ball. It may not be pretty from the visitors, but it's certainly effective.

Deco swings in a free-kick from the left but it's too close to Palop and the keeper punches clear. Poor delivery from Deco.

They're a very impatient lot at the Camp Nou and Sevilla are packing the midfield and making life difficult for Barca.

At last, a chance for Barcelona! Eric Abidal thrashes a left-foot shot from 30 yards that stings the hands of Palop. Fine save by the keeper who had to dive high to his left.

Poulsen is made to track back and cut off the surging run of Iniesta who has been Barca's best player thus far.

Things have gone flat for the home team after that flying start. Ramos' game plan looks to be working a treat here.

Apart from Renato's header off the post, we've had very few chances so far. Barca are still knocking on the door but Sevilla have quietened the Camp Nou and frustrated the hosts.

Henry's not having it all his own way up front. He's been on the end of a couple of shocking refereeing decisions and he's getting a little frustrated with it all.

Sevilla, remember, are second in La Liga with a 100% record from their two games and trail Real Madrid who have three wins from three. Barca are back in fifth and will want to move up the table quickly.

Sevilla, though, are looking strong on the counter-attack and that could be their best way of unlocking Barca.

The home fans are starting to become a little restless. They're not too happy seeing their side dominate without coming close to scoring.

Wonderful chance for Sevilla as Renato crashes a glancing header against the post from a Dragutinovic cross. Superb counter-attacking from the visitors and they're slowly but surely clawing their way back into this.

Adriano comes back on and is immediately taken out by Zambrotta. Far more dangerous than the first challenge and the Italian full-back goes into the book for the first yellow of the match.

We're back in play after a couple of minutes break for the knock to Adriano. He should be ok but Sevilla are currently down to 10.

Sevilla buy themselves some time and regroup as Adriano receives some treatment after a foul by Deco

Plenty of possession for Barca so far and tidy build-up to boot. But there's been precious little penetration in the danger area and Rijkaard comes off the bench to try to rectify the situation.

Better from Sevilla. Navas stretches his legs down the right flank and draws Abidal into a reckless challenge. The pacy winger will need to break more often to ease the pressure on his back four.

Sevilla are struggling to get out of their own half. Henry commits a foul in the visitors box and they're given the chance to clear.

So 10 minutes in and it's been all Barca. Neat passing, slick running and Messi running riot. Sevilla are rocking at the moment.

Iniesta in the action again and when the ball falls kindly to him he blasts his half-volley goalwards. Khalid Boulahrouz throws himself at the ball and does enough to block the danger.

Barca look in the mood tonight. Plenty of closing down in midfield and they're looking to hurry the visitors into mistakes - so far it's working well.

Mesmeric dribbling from Messi. He squirms out of a cul-de-sac down the right and weaves into the box only to be blocked off just in front of goal. Wonderful start from the Argentine.

Anyone know who the Sevilla kit man is? He's decked his side out in the most garish pink strips you're ever likely to see. Shocking stuff!

Fine defending from Zambrotta at the other end. Poulsen was arriving powerfully at the back stick to meet Alves' cross, but the Italian nods to safety.

That's exactly the start we were looking for. Explosive running from the Barca forwards already.

First threat of the game and it's fallen to Thierry Henry. Iniesta made it by ghosting past his man on the left wing and when he slid his cross across goal, Henry arrived at the front post but can't divert in.

We're expecting a feat of attractive football here at Camp Nou, although Sevilla's formation looks to leave Kanoute up top on his own.

Here we go then. Exciting game in prospect, Barca get the game under way.

Sevilla head into the game on the back of a crushing 3-0 defeat to Arsenal in the Champions League, while Barcelona produced their best performance of their season so far in their European opener. But Sevilla have a good record against the top sides in La Liga and will be looking to maintain their 100% league record tonight.

The big news in the build-up to this tie is the absence of Ronaldinho. The Brazilian star has a muscle injury and plays no part in tonight's game.

Welcome, welcome. We're just under 10 minutes away from our live offering from La Liga - Barcelona v Sevilla. It's the biggest match in Spain so far this season and you'll be able to catch it all live here.

GOAL: BARCELONA 1-0 SEVILLA

Incredible chance for Henry. He evaded the Sevilla offside trap and tried to sneak a sidefooted effort underneath Palop. But the keeper gets just enough on it and the ball squirms under him and on to the post. Alves races back and clears the danger. Wonderful effort from Henry.

Wherever the ball is, the pink shirts are hunting it down in packs of two's and three's.

Sevilla get a free-kick on the left edge of the box. Duda hits it but his standing leg gives way and the end result isn't too pretty - it spoons up and well over the bar and Duda is not best pleased with himself.

No danger from the set piece but Sevilla won't mind too much. They're doing more than enough to make Rijkaard and co fidget on the Barca bench.

Milito concedes a free-kick a long way from goal but it gives the visitors chance to push forward and relieve the pressure.

Henry has adopted a much wider for in attack for Barca now with Messi spearheading the front line. It's not working for them yet, though.

Sevilla enjoy a couple minutes on the ball and the home fans show their dissatisfaction with a chorus of jeers. Ramos looks quite content on the sidelines, and why wouldn't he be?

You have to admire Sevilla's approach tonight. If they manage to withstand the pressure for the remaining half hour it will be a fine achievement. But Barca are starting to look dangerous with both wingers coming into the game.

A change for the hosts and it's the highly rated Giovanni dos Santos who comes on to replace Xavi. The captain's armabnd is handed to Victor Valdes as Barca increase their attacking options.

The fans in the Camp Nou sense that their side are beginning to turn the screw. A couple of decent openings and that chance for Marquez has raised the temperature for the Catalans.

Better delivery from a Barca corner and Marquez gets up well only to see his glancing header flick the outside of the post. Decent chance for Barca who are now starting to increase the pressure.

Another booking for Sevilla which leaves three of their players walking the tightrope. Poulsen is the latest to get his name taken after clipping Deco.

Incredible miss from Henry. The home side's clearest chance of the night goes begging as the Frenchman somehow nods wide from three yards out. Deco's cross caught the Sevilla defence sleeping and Henry fluffed his lines.

No one likes marking Messi do they? Dragutinovic hasn't enjoyed it one bit tonight and gets his name taken for a clumsy challenge from behind.

Barcelona just starting to inject a higher tempo into this game. Abidal opens up down the left flank but again the cross is poor and Sevilla are allowed to clear.

Xavi takes over free-kick duties from the left after Deco's poor first-half efforts. Unfortunately the Spaniard fares no better and Sevilla easily clear the cross.

One goal either way might settle this one, particularly if Sevilla edge ahead. But I wonder how they would react the falling a goal behind. They crumbled when Arsenal scored their first on Wednesday and it would be interesting to see if it brought them out of their shell.

Late, late flag for Kanoute who had evaded the Barca defence. He was well off but one false move from the Barca back line and Kanoute will fancy his chances.

Early yellow card for Keita for a challenge on Marquez. He caught the big Mexican late and doesn't have many complaints.

I wonder whether Sevilla would settle for 0-0. I suspect they would but it would be disappointing for the neutral if they were. Maybe Ramos is confident of catching Barca on the break like Renato almost did in the first half.

The stats tell us that Barca enjoyed 62% of possession in the first half, but crucially the goals column still reads zero. What will Rijkaard have said to motivate his players during the interval?

The players are back out and ready for the second half. No changes at the break and Sevilla get us back under way.

Barcelona have huffed and puffed but Sevilla have stood firm. They have even enjoyed the best chance of the half when Renato headed against the up right. Join us for the second half shortly.

HALF-TIME: BARCELONA 0-0 SEVILLA

It may take a moment of magic to unlock Sevilla at this rate and Deco almost provides it. He swipes a wonderful, swerving shot from 25 yards that just shaves the outside of the post. Palop was well beaten but Sevilla survive.

Dragutinovic and Poulsen look to have got a hold of Messi now and doubling up on markers seems to be a key ploy of the Sevilla defensive effort. Right around the pitch they're pressing their markers.

The final ball from Barca just hasn't been up to scratch this half. They'll need to shake things up in the second half if they want to break this stubborn Sevilla back line.

Deco passes up the chance to shoot and tees up Yaya Toure who whacks a low drive goalwards. It takes a deflection and pings out for a corner and Palop tidies up after a wasted cross by Deco.

Ramos will be by far the happier of the two coaches if the scores remain this way at the break. Barca can't get going and the supporters are not best pleased.

Stupid yellow card for Navas who needlessly kicks the ball away for a foul on Messi. Schoolboy stuff from the winger.

Sevilla are well aware of the threat that Barca's front three pose and they're hustling them whenever they receive the ball. It may not be pretty from the visitors, but it's certainly effective.

Deco swings in a free-kick from the left but it's too close to Palop and the keeper punches clear. Poor delivery from Deco.

They're a very impatient lot at the Camp Nou and Sevilla are packing the midfield and making life difficult for Barca.

At last, a chance for Barcelona! Eric Abidal thrashes a left-foot shot from 30 yards that stings the hands of Palop. Fine save by the keeper who had to dive high to his left.

Poulsen is made to track back and cut off the surging run of Iniesta who has been Barca's best player thus far.

Things have gone flat for the home team after that flying start. Ramos' game plan looks to be working a treat here.

Apart from Renato's header off the post, we've had very few chances so far. Barca are still knocking on the door but Sevilla have quietened the Camp Nou and frustrated the hosts.

Henry's not having it all his own way up front. He's been on the end of a couple of shocking refereeing decisions and he's getting a little frustrated with it all.

Sevilla, remember, are second in La Liga with a 100% record from their two games and trail Real Madrid who have three wins from three. Barca are back in fifth and will want to move up the table quickly.

Sevilla, though, are looking strong on the counter-attack and that could be their best way of unlocking Barca.

The home fans are starting to become a little restless. They're not too happy seeing their side dominate without coming close to scoring.

Wonderful chance for Sevilla as Renato crashes a glancing header against the post from a Dragutinovic cross. Superb counter-attacking from the visitors and they're slowly but surely clawing their way back into this.

Adriano comes back on and is immediately taken out by Zambrotta. Far more dangerous than the first challenge and the Italian full-back goes into the book for the first yellow of the match.

We're back in play after a couple of minutes break for the knock to Adriano. He should be ok but Sevilla are currently down to 10.

Sevilla buy themselves some time and regroup as Adriano receives some treatment after a foul by Deco

Plenty of possession for Barca so far and tidy build-up to boot. But there's been precious little penetration in the danger area and Rijkaard comes off the bench to try to rectify the situation.

Better from Sevilla. Navas stretches his legs down the right flank and draws Abidal into a reckless challenge. The pacy winger will need to break more often to ease the pressure on his back four.

Sevilla are struggling to get out of their own half. Henry commits a foul in the visitors box and they're given the chance to clear.

So 10 minutes in and it's been all Barca. Neat passing, slick running and Messi running riot. Sevilla are rocking at the moment.

Iniesta in the action again and when the ball falls kindly to him he blasts his half-volley goalwards. Khalid Boulahrouz throws himself at the ball and does enough to block the danger.

Barca look in the mood tonight. Plenty of closing down in midfield and they're looking to hurry the visitors into mistakes - so far it's working well.

Mesmeric dribbling from Messi. He squirms out of a cul-de-sac down the right and weaves into the box only to be blocked off just in front of goal. Wonderful start from the Argentine.

Anyone know who the Sevilla kit man is? He's decked his side out in the most garish pink strips you're ever likely to see. Shocking stuff!

Fine defending from Zambrotta at the other end. Poulsen was arriving powerfully at the back stick to meet Alves' cross, but the Italian nods to safety.

That's exactly the start we were looking for. Explosive running from the Barca forwards already.

First threat of the game and it's fallen to Thierry Henry. Iniesta made it by ghosting past his man on the left wing and when he slid his cross across goal, Henry arrived at the front post but can't divert in.

We're expecting a feat of attractive football here at Camp Nou, although Sevilla's formation looks to leave Kanoute up top on his own.

Here we go then. Exciting game in prospect, Barca get the game under way.

Sevilla head into the game on the back of a crushing 3-0 defeat to Arsenal in the Champions League, while Barcelona produced their best performance of their season so far in their European opener. But Sevilla have a good record against the top sides in La Liga and will be looking to maintain their 100% league record tonight.

The big news in the build-up to this tie is the absence of Ronaldinho. The Brazilian star has a muscle injury and plays no part in tonight's game.

Welcome, welcome. We're just under 10 minutes away from our live offering from La Liga - Barcelona v Sevilla. It's the biggest match in Spain so far this season and you'll be able to catch it all live here.