Messi sinks Sevilla to keep LaLiga chase alive

Football - La Liga Santander - Sevilla v FC Barcelona - Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, Seville, Spain - February 27, 2021. Barcelona's Lionel Messi scores their second goal. [REUTERS/Marcelo Del Pozo]

Barcelona forwards Ousmane Dembele and Lionel Messi fired the Catalans to a confidence-boosting 2-0 win at in-form Sevilla on Saturday to keep the pressure on La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid.

Dembele latched on to a through ball from Messi and knocked it through the legs of Sevilla keeper Bono to give Barca a deserved lead in the 29th minute after dominating the first half and barely giving their hosts a hint of a chance.

Sevilla improved after the break but Barca continued to have the edge and found a second goal when Messi played a one-two with teenage midfielder Ilaix Moriba and netted with a scrappy finish after having his first effort saved by Bono.

The result ended a six-game winning streak in the league for Sevilla, who remained fourth in the standings on 48 points, while Barca climbed to second with 53 points, two behind front-runners Atletico but having played two more games.

Barcelona's Lionel Messi in action with Sevilla's Karim Rekik. [REUTERS/Marcelo Del Pozo]