Lionel Messi scored Barcelona's opening goal as they won magnificently away at Sevilla by three goals to two.

Barcelona knew that anything less than three points would probably cost them the title and their endeavour was clear from very early on.

Unsurprisingly, it was the world's best, Lionel Messi, who opened the scoring for Barcelona. Some great work by Maxwell led to Messi having the ball 16 yards from goal. He drilled the ball low into the corner to give him his 32nd league goal and 45th goal of the season, just two away from Ronaldo's record in 1996-97.

Bojan doubled the lead for Barcelona shortly afterwards, steering the ball past the despairing keeper.

Pedro then made it 3 after half time following some great work by Messi.

Kanoute and Fabiano scored two quick goals in the space of three minutes, which gave Barcelona a scare at the end, but they hung on for another vital three points after Real Madrid beat Athletic Bilbao by 5 goals to 1.

Barcelona's final game of the season is at home to Valladolid next week.