The Barcelona captain, Lionel Messi, had a rather marred return to action as his brace against Real Betis counts for
nothing. For the first time in Messi's stunning Barcelona career, he has scored
a brace but ended up on the losing side. Messi was excellent but was let down
by his supporting cast time and again. Barcelona had a quite vulnerable
defense, which was easily penetrated by Tello and Junior. Rakitic, Busquets and
Arthur were below par performance in the midfield. Arturo Vidal was in top form
as he creating a scoring opportunity in which Messi hit the woodwork 15 seconds
after coming in for Arthur (in the second half). Rakitic was sent off in the
81st minute after receiving a second yellow card booking.
Messi had a
key role to play in all three goals scored by Barcelona; he scored two goals
and made an assist for Vidal's goal.
Nonetheless,
Messi's double against Real Betis puts him atop La Liga scoring charts, with
Luis Suarez who has also found the net 9 times. Messi is soaring at an
individual level with 14 goals scored in 13 outings, with an overall Barcelona
tally of 566 goals in 650 appearances. Fortunately for Barcelona, they are
still hold the first position in La Liga despite the loss as they had conceded
just 10 goals in the preceding 10 La Liga games.
The
scintillating Real Betis side beat Barcelona at their game of possession
football, producing an irresistible performance and breaking Barcelona records.
Real Betis is the first team to score four goals at the Camp Nou in 15 years.
It is also the first team to win Barcelona at home all competitions confounded,
since 2016. Real Betis also ended Barcelona's 20 year edge over them as Betis
had been unable to beat Barcelona since 1998. Barcelona had also not conceded
four goals in a La Liga game since being beaten by Deportivo La Coruna in April
2003.
Prior to
today's game, Real Betis had lost three of their previous for La Liga
outings. “We will enjoy this victory and
the joy and satisfaction we have given to Betis fans who follow their team
every day, winning here and scoring four goals is something you will never
forget,” said Betis coach Quique Setien.
“When
you come here, you always expect to suffer but we knew if we showed character
and overcame the stress we could play well and have the ball, and Barca are a
team that suffers without the ball and struggles to get it back.”
Match
Sheet:
3 - Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Sergi
Roberto, Piqué, Lenglet, Jordi Alba; Sergio Busquets (Aleñá, min.69), Rakitic,
Arthur (Arturo Vidal, min.46); Messi, Malcom (Munir, min.57) and Luis Suárez.
4 - Betis: Pau López; Mandi,
Bartra, Sidnei; Tello, Lo Celso (Inui, min.86), William Carvalho, Guardado,
Junior; Joaquín (Canales, min.62) and Loren (Sergio, León, min.76).
Goals: 0-1: Junior,
min.20. 0-2: Joaquín, min.34. 1-2: Messi (p.), min.68.
1-3: Lo Celso, min.71. 2-3: Arturo Vidal, min.79. 2-4: Canales, min.82. 3-4:
Messi, min.92
Referee: Mateu Lahoz (Comité valenciano). Mostró tarjeta amarilla a Guardado
(min.24), Sergio Busquets (min.58), Mandi (min.69) y Arturo Vidal (min.72) Rakitic ousted for two yellow cards - 44th and 81st minutes.
Attendance: 83.174 spectators
Barcelona
will face Atletico Madrid after the two weeks international break. Barcelona do
have to buckle up if they must stay at the top.
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