Goals from Lionel Messi and Neymar have handed Barcelona a 2-1 lead over Sevilla at the halfway stage of their La Liga clash at the Estadio Ramon.

Barcelona dominated possession from the first whistle, and Andres Iniesta managed to threaten early on with a powerful effort which forced Sergio Rico into a good save.

It didn't take much longer for the visitors to break the deadlock as Messi collected the ball in space inside the box before turning inside to curl an unstoppable strike into the top corner.

Luis Enrique's side continued to grow in confidence as the first half progressed, and it was Neymar who took centre stage for the second goal as he stepped up to give Rico no chance with a stunning free kick.

It should have been 3-0 moments later, but Luis Suarez somehow managed to send his effort over the crossbar after being picked out by Neymar.

After offering very little going forward throughout the opening 36 minutes, Sevilla got back in the match when Claudio Bravo somehow managed to help Ever Banega's low effort reach the bottom corner.

The hosts piled the pressure on in the closing stages of the first half, but Barcelona's defence managed to hold on to protect their advantage.