Barca fight back to draw with Sevilla, Real win

Lionel Messi came off the bench to preserve Barcelona's unbeaten run in La Liga with a sensational late equaliser in a thrilling 2-2 draw at Sevilla Saturday as the runaway leader came back from two goals down in the space of a minute. Champion Real Madrid eased to a 3-0 win over lowly Las Palmas with goals from Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema despite missing six regular starters, including top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo and captain Sergio Ramos. Franco Vazquez opened the scoring for Sevilla from close range in the 36th minute and Colombia international Luis Muriel doubled the home side's lead by smashing in on the rebound five minutes into the second half. Messi had began the game on the bench due to continued muscle discomfort which caused him to miss Argentina's friendlies against Italy and Spain and the league's top scorer was called into action in the 58th minute, replacing Ousmane Dembele.

Matchday 30 and @FCBarcelona continue to maintain their unbeaten streak in #LaLigaSantander! ? pic.twitter.com/NaDKjpMxdH

— LaLiga (@LaLigaEN) March 31, 2018

Barca were instantly lifted by the Argentine's arrival and shortly after coming on Luis Suarez rattled the near post but Sevilla continued to pour forward and Vazquez and Muriel each missed clear chances to strike again and put the game to bed. Barca looked on course for a first league defeat since losing at Malaga last April but Suarez pulled one back with an acrobatic finish in the 88th minute and Messi whipped in the equaliser in the 89th with a venomous left-foot strike. The goal stretched the Catalans' unbeaten run in the league to 37 games and if they avoid defeat next week at home to Leganes they will equal Real Sociedad's Liga record of 38 games without defeat, which has stood since 1980. Barca top the standing on 76 points but if second-placed Atletico Madrid beat Deportivo la Coruna Sunday their advantage at the top will be cut to nine. Real are third on 62.

How many goals will Messi score this season? ⚽️? #LaLigaSantander pic.twitter.com/8mBW2qEv7C

— LaLiga (@LaLigaEN) March 31, 2018

Bale exhibited his phenomenal pace and power to race on to an exquisite through ball from old Tottenham Hotspur team mate Luka Modric and fire in the opening goal for Real against Las Palmas in the 26th minute. Real's stand-in captain Benzema doubled the advantage from the penalty spot after Lucas Vazquez was fouled before Bale won and converted another spot-kick six minutes into the second half to put Real further at ease. Real defender Nacho Fernandez had to be substituted in the first half with a thigh strain and the Spaniard was seen crying as he sat on the sideline with the injury likely to rule him out of Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final first leg at Juventus. Zidane left Ronaldo, Marcelo and Toni Kroos at home for the trip to the Canary Island and was without Isco and Ramos due to injury and Dani Carvajal through suspension, meaning his squad will be well rested for the trip to Turin for a re-run of last year's Champions League final.

Only @realmadriden secured a victory in Saturday's games! ?#LaLigaSantander pic.twitter.com/SQFM0KLwvh

— LaLiga (@LaLigaEN) March 31, 2018

RESULTSGirona 1 (Nogue 54) Levante 1 (Morales 68)Athletic 1 (Nunez 55) Celta 1 (Mendez 90+1)Las Palmas 0 Real Madrid 3 (Bale 26, 51-P, Benzema 39-P)Sevilla 2 (Vazquez 36, Muriel 50) Barcelona 2 (Suarez 88, Messi 89)  SUNDAY'S MATCHESEspanyol v Alaves, Leganes v Valencia, Eibar v Sociedad, Malaga v Villarreal and Atletico v Deportivo