Messi and Pique spark Barcelona comeback victory

Defender Gerard Pique grabbed a rare winner and Lionel Messi scored yet another beauty as Barcelona came from behind to beat Sevilla 2-1 at the Nou Camp on Sunday and reclaim an eight-point lead at the top of La Liga.

Second-placed Atletico Madrid had narrowed the gap to five points bywinning the capital derby 1-0 at the Bernabeu on Saturday, a result that leaves Real Madrid 12 points adrift of Barca.

Sevilla, who meet Barca in the King’s Cup final on May 22, went in front following a break down the left as full back Benoit Tremoulinas crossed to the far post and Vitolo volleyed the ball past keeper Claudio Bravo after 20 minutes.

Messi equalized just past the half hour with a sublime free kick that dipped over the wall and nestled in the top corner.

Barca’s winner, which extended their unbeaten run to 34 matches in all competitions, came three minutes into the second half as Messi cut the ball back to Luis Suarez and his cross was converted from close range by center half Pique.

Luis Enrique’s men have now drawn level with Real Madrid’s record undefeated sequence set in 1988-89 under Dutchman Leo Beenhakker.