Messi misses late penalty as Real take top spot

MADRID, Oct 23 (AFP): Lionel Messi missed an injury time penalty as Barcelona were held to a 0-0 draw by nine-man Sevilla on Saturday, a result which saw the champions surrender top spot to Real Madrid who beat Malaga 4-0. A Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick in the space of 15 first-half minutes had helped Real to victory leaving Jose Mourinho's men with a one-point lead over the Spanish and European champions. Barcelona have now kept a record six clean sheets in all competitions, but despite dominating the match at Camp Nou, they were thwarted by a dogged Sevilla defence and goalkeeper Javi Varas who pulled off a series of outstanding saves. The game boiled over in the final minutes as Andres Iniesta was upended in the area and a penalty was awarded. Substitute Frederic Kanoute was red-carded for attacking Cesc Fabregas before the spot- kick was taken by Messi and sensationally saved by Varas.