Varas the hero as Barca held at home

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　　Varas made a string of spectacular saves, including an injury time penalty from Leo Messi as his side hung on for a draw.

　　Sevilla never lost their defensive composure, although they did lost their nerves for a time after referee⁴ Iturralde Gonzalez awarded Barcelona a 91st minute penalty after Federico Fazio brought down Andres Iniesta. Frederic Kanoute was sent off for an incident with Cesc Fabrigas as both sides squared up to each other.

　　The long delay must have tested Messi's nerves as he fired in a penalty at saveable height for Varas to stop.

　　It was just reward for the Sevilla keeper deserved who had made save after save to deny a Barcelona side that has spent virtually the entire second half camped on the edge of the visitor's penalty area.

　　The only time Varas was beaten it was by Iniesta, who saw a lob bounce out of play from the top of the Sevilla crossbar.

　　Without Barcelona ever playing their best football, Varas began his heroics in the first half.

　　Sevilla played with three midfielders ahead of a four-man defense⁵ and looked to deny Barcelona space. The tactic⁶ worked but as the half progressed the visitors were pushed deeper into their own half.

　　Varas produced four outstanding saves: firstly to deny Andres Iniesta after just nine minutes, and then twice to frustrate⁷ David Villa¹ in the closing minutes of the half. He also produced a stunning stop to frustrate Leo Messi, whose shot took a deflection on its way to goal.

　　Sevilla had looked to hit Barcelona on the break and at the other end, Victor Valdes also had to be at his best to deny Jesus Navas, firstly from close range and secondly⁸ from a shot the winger had looked to curl into the corner of the net.

　　The second half saw Barcelona in complete control, but with Varas pulling off save after save, it was simply not their night. The final whistle saw the keeper sink to his knees in triumph and even the Barcelona players congratulated him on his display. It is no less than he deserved for a truly outstanding performance.

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