Suarez, Messi salvage Barcelona's unbeaten run in incredible comeback against Sevilla

Late goals from Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez salvaged Barcelona’s unbeaten record in a 2-2 draw against Sevilla at Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuan.

Franco Vazquez opened the scoring 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.

Barca were instantly lifted by the Argentine's arrival and Luis Suarez rattled the near post but Sevilla continued to pour forward and Vazquez and Muriel missed clear chances to put the game to bed.

They paid dear for their wastefulness as Suarez pulled one back for Barca with an acrobatic finish in the 88th minute following a corner and Messi whipped in the equaliser in the 89th with a venomous left-foot strike.

The goal stretched the Catalans' unbeaten league run 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 standings on 76 points but if second-placed Atletico Madrid beat Deportivo La Coruna on Sunday their advantage at the top will be cut to nine. Champions Real Madrid are third on 62 after beating Las Palmas 3-0.

In the end, Barcelona managed to keep their unbeaten league record. However, Valverde will surely be concerned by the defensive performance of his side. Gerard Pique and Samuel Umtiti endured a miserable evening. They were so bad, it was comical at times, with both players diving into tackles they stood no chance of winning. What’s more, Barca looked tired. This is what happened to them at this stage of the season last year. Is history repeating itself?

He was only on the pitch for half an hour, but that’s all Messi needed to turn this game around and preserve Barcelona’s unbeaten Liga record. Sevilla looked to have weathered the storm that followed his introduction off the bench, but Messi made them pay for a number of missed opportunities by scoring the stoppage time equaliser that gave Barca an unlikely point. Even at half fitness, Messi was good enough to drag his team out of trouble.

Sevilla - Rico 6, Mercado 6, Kjaer 8, Lenglet 6, Escudero 6, Navas 6, N’Zonzi 8, Vazquez 8, Banega 8, Correa 8, Muriel 6. Subs - Pizarro 5, Layun 7, Nolito 5.

Barcelona - Ter Stegen 5, Roberto 7, Pique 3, Umtiti 4, Alba 6, Paulinho 5, Rakitic 5, Iniesta 6, Dembele 5, Suarez 7, Coutinho 5. Subs - Messi 9, Alcacer 5, Denis 6.

36’ GOAL! Sevilla 1-0 Barcelona: Sevilla have taken one of their chances. Correa had all the time in the world to pick out Vazquez, who had space to squeeze home a finish underneath Ter Stegen. That goal had been coming for the home side!

49’ GOAL! Sevilla 2-0 Barcelona: Barcelona's unbeaten Liga record is truly on the line here! Ter Stegen makes a save from Vazquez, but the ball fell to Muriel, who showed great composure to steady himself and find the back of the net off the inside of the post.

56’ WHAT A CHANCE FOR THREE! That was the chance for Sevilla to kill the game off. Navas was clean through, but he couldn't beat Ter Stegen and Vazquez strikes the side netting.

63’ OUTSIDE OF THE POST! Now Suarez comes close to finding the Sevilla net. Alba feeds it to the back post, but the Barcelona striker hits the outside of the post from a very tight angle.

88’ OFF THE POST! Inches away from being a lifeline for Barcelona. Rakitic flicks a header towards goal from a corner kick delivery, beating Rico, but not the post. It bounces away.

89’ GOAL! Sevilla 2-1 Barcelona: Barcelona have found a way back into the match. Suarez gets on the end of a cross to the back post, bundling home the ball. That's a lifeline for Barca!

90’ GOAL! Sevilla 2-2 Barcelona: OH MY GOODNESS! He has turned this game around! Barcelona have scored two goals in a minute! Messi takes aim from about 20 yards out and beats Rico. Barca may have preserved their unbeaten Liga record!

91’ PENALTY SHOUT! Huge calls for a spot kick from the home side. Alba looked to have clipped Vazquez inside the box, but the referee shakes his head. The Sevilla players are raging!

Barcelona have won more points from losing positions than any other side in La Liga this season (17).

Barcelona have gone 37 consecutive games without losing in La Liga. They are only one game away from matching Real Sociedad’s record from 1980 (38).