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Messi brace sees off Sevilla

Argentine midfielder Lionel Messi scored two late goals to lead FC Barcelona over Sevilla 2-1 in the Spanish league on Saturday.

Messi converted from the penalty spot in the 80th minute, seven minutes after controlling then side-volleying a hard pass from Thierry Henry past goalkeeper Andres Palop in the box.

Frederic Kanoute added a consolation goal for Sevilla two minutes into injury time.

Palop denied Messi a hat-trick in the 82nd as Barcelona moved into second place with eight points. League leaders Real Madrid have nine points, with yesterday's game against Valladolid in hand.

Sevilla have six points from three matches.

Ronaldinho

Messi immediately pointed up to the stands to dedicate his winner to teammate Ronaldinho, who was missing because of a muscle strain.

Ronaldinho will be examined by team physicians ahead of Wednesday's league game against Zaragoza.

The Brazil international's form has come under scrutiny after the playmaker was substituted for the third time this season against Lyon, with Spanish media reporting that the player broke curfew two weeks ago.

The match was played on the eve of the Nou Camp stadium's 50th anniversary, with architect Norman Foster presenting his plans for the remodeling of the 98,772-capacity building before kickoff.

Messi immediately picked up from an impressive performance in the midweek Champions League win over Lyon, the Argentina forward with two chances inside seven minutes.

In the 21st minute, Renato's powerful header hit the crossbar for Sevilla's best chance in a guarded first half.

Eric Abidal saw Palop push his powerful shot from outside the area out in the 31st before Deco also tried from long 12 minutes later, his right-footed swerve finishing just wide.

Henry needed 45 minutes for his next effort, missing a long ball from defender Rafael Marquez for a header. The Frenchman should have reached Deco's long free kick into the area in the 55th but missed again. Henry would also hit the post later.

Barcelona kept up the pressure, Marquez's header from a tight angle hitting the post two minutes later.

penalty

Messi scored his penalty after Christian Poulsen brought down Barcelona substitute Giovani Dos Santos.

Earlier on Saturday, Javi Guerrero scored twice as Recreativo Huelva rallied for a 2-1 win over Espanyol.

Guerrero gave Recreativo their first win of the season with his winner in the 60th minute, five minutes after the striker had equalized. Alberto Riera scored in the fifth minute for Espanyol.
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