Lionel Messi’s stunning free-kick gives Barca record
Lionel Messi scored with an unstoppable free-kick to help Barcelona come from behind to beat Sevilla 2-1 on Sunday, a record-equalling 34th game without loss that kept the champions on track to retain their Spanish league title.
Sevilla’s Victor “Vitolo” Machin struck first for the visitors in the 20th minute, but Messi curled home his free kick 11 minutes later before Gerard Pique put Barcelona ahead just after halftime.
Barcelona’s 10th consecutive Liga win maintained their eight-point lead over second-place Atletico Madrid.
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Third-placed Real Madrid, which lost 1-0 to Atletico on Saturday, fell 12 points behind the pacesetters with 12 rounds to go.
Barcelona equalled Madrid’s record unbeaten streak in all competitions from 1988-89. Barcelona’s last loss in any competition was at Sevilla on October 3.
“We are playing well, but records are worth nothing. The only thing that matters are titles,” Pique said.
“We turned this around, and that is how you win leagues.”
Watch Lionel Messi’s free-kick below
Sevilla, which remained dangerous until the final whistle, slipped down to sixth place. Unai Emery’s team will have the opportunity to avenge the defeat when they meet Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final on May 22.
“Every time we have played them this year, we have caused them trouble,” Vitolo said.
“I think this game is a good reference (for the cup final).”