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Sitting deep alongside Nemanja Matic, there was a clear show of support for Pogba from his team-mates on Saturday. They pointed their fingers at him to acknowledge his challenge in the build-up to Alexis’ goal, demonstrating the love everyone has for the Frenchman following the recent soap opera surrounding Mourinho’s treatment of him.
 
In truth, though, Pogba was largely quiet again, but he should really have ended the afternoon with an assist as both Mata and Lukaku failed to convert the midfielder’s floated crosses from close-range. ‘Industrious’ is not a word usually related with Pogba, but with the likes of Alexis firing ahead of him he may have to learn to settle for a supporting role for the remainder of the campaign.
 
Alexis’s afternoon ended after 75 minutes, replaced by Rashford with the job done. Mourinho’s pride at beating Pep Guardiola to the Chilean’s signature will only be justified if he can coax more match-winning performances out of his new asset. After an ugly start, the signs are finally there that Alexis is beginning to blossom into a swan
 
It is safe to say Zlatan Ibrahimovic's debut performance lived up to expectations.
The big striker began his first MLS game on the bench, but scored the equalizer and the winner as the LA Galaxy stormed back from a 3-0 deficit for an improbable 4-3 victory over their local rivals Los Angeles FC.
 
After entering in the 71st minute, Ibrahimovic struck a brilliant 35-yard drive just six minutes later to level the scoreline at 3-3, catching LAFC goalkeepr Tyler Miller off his line.
 
But Ibrahimovic was not done. In the 91st minute, he beat Miller again, this time to a header, to put the Galaxy in front for the first time all contest, putting the capper on the shocking comeback.
"They were saying, 'We want Zlatan, we want Zlatan,' so I gave them Zlatan," Ibrahimovic told FOX after the game.
The Galaxy appeared to be headed toward an ugly defeat in their first ever meeting with LAFC, having fallen behind 3-0 early in the second half.
 
Carlos Vela had a first-half brace to put LAFC off to a flying start and an own goal early in the second half appeared to set the expansion side on their way to a statement victory.
But the Galaxy pulled one back in the 61st minute Sebastian Lletget cut it to 3-1.
Ibrahimovic entered with the side still down 3-1, but contributed to the build up to the Galaxy's second goal as Chris Pontius put home a diving header to cut the deficit to 3-2.
 
With three minutes to play at the Sanchez Pizjuan, Barcelona were heading for their first defeat of the season in the Primera Division. And at that point, it was hard to say they did not deserve it.
Barca began the day with a 15-point lead in La Liga and unbeaten in the competition. However, Lionel Messi was not fit to start against Sevilla and in his absence, Ernesto Valverde's side were all over the place for almost an hour.
 
Sergio Busquets was also a big miss in midfielder, the Catalan expected to be back in time for the Champions League clash against Roma at Camp Nou on Wednesday night. But without Messi, the Blaugrana looked positively ordinary in attack.
 
Argentina had experienced something similar in the recent international break. With Messi suffering from hamstring and adductor problems, the Albiceleste beat Italy 2-0 in Manchester without truly impressing, before being blown away in a 6-1 loss to Spain on Tuesday as Leo looked on from the stands in Madrid.
Would he have made much difference? He always makes a difference. And as soon as he stepped off the bench in the 57th minute of this match, Barca started to create chances. They were 2-0 down by then, but hope had returned.
 
Earlier, goals from Franco Vazquez and Luis Muriel had seen Sevilla take control, the latter missing a couple of superb opportunities to put the game out of Barca's reach after that.
And just as it looked like Sevilla would see out a superb victory to boost confidence ahead of their own Champions League game against Bayern Munich on Tuesday, Luis Suarez struck to pull a goal back after 88 minutes. And moments later, Messi fired home from the edge of the box to level the scores and seal a 2-2 draw.
Once again, an ordinary Barca had been saved by their extraordinary forward. Messi makes the difference time after time. Over the years, he has rescued his side on so many occasions and it is hard to imagine just where this team would be without him.
 
Luckily, they do not have to contemplate that. With Messi, this team is brilliant and challenging for a treble, while they also remain unbeaten in La Liga after 30 rounds of matches. Without Leo, neither of those things would be possible.
 
Now, Barca must make sure they do everything they can to ensure his injury problems are managed properly, so that he can appear when it matters most for the Blaugrana in the remainder of the campaign.
 
Even as an impact substitute, though, he does more than most. And after what had been a disastrous defensive display by Valverde's men, his cameo changed everything. Barca, more than a little messy, were saved by a little Messi. Now they need to take care of him.
 
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