Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez inspire Barcelona rout of Betis
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Updated 21/01/2018 at 22:17 GMT
La Liga, Benito Villmarin - Real Betis 0 Barcelona 5 (Rakitic 59', Messi 64', 80', Suarez 69', 90')
Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona celebrates after scoring the second goal for FC Barcelona with his team mate Luis Suarez of FC Barcelona during the La Liga match between Real Betis and Barcelona.
Image credit: Eurosport
Barcelona put down yet another marker in their stroll to the 2017/18 La Liga title, seeing off Real Betis with an impressive 5-0 win at the Benito Villamarin.
The hosts were expected to provide Ernesto Valvede’s side with a challenge, such was their recent form, but after holding out at 0-0 until the break, Betis succumbed to the Catalans’ quality, conceding five second half goals.
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Ivan Rakitic (Barcelona)
Image credit: Getty Images
Ivan Rakitic opened the scoring just before the hour-mark, with the floodgates opening thereafter. Lionel Messi added a second soon after, with Luis Suarez also bagging a brace, and Messi firing home another to put the finishing touches on the victory.
The result means Barcelona now hold an 11-point lead at the top of La Liga, with Real Madrid 19 points behind their Catalan rivals despite their impressive 7-1 win over Deportivo La Coruna earlier in the day. The title might already be theirs.
TALKING POINT - Has Thomas Vermaelen suffered another injury setback?
Some had even forgotten that Thomas Vermaelen was a Barcelona player, suffering a number of injuries since joining from Arsenal years ago. But the Belgian has forced his way into the starting lineup in recent weeks, impressing alongside Gerard Pique in the absence of Samuel Umtiti. But he pulled up in the first half and had to be subbed off. Will that mean another spell on the sidelines?
MAN OF THE MATCH - Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
They should just give Messi the 2018 Ballon d’Or now. The Argentine is just a level above the rest and he showed that in this performance against Real Betis. His second goal (Barca’s second) illustrated this, when he effortlessly jinked past two opposition defenders and slid home a finish without breaking a sweat. This was a win that Messi conducted.
PLAYER RATINGS
Real Betis - Adan 5, Mandi 5, Feddal 3, Durmisi 5, Francis 6, Fabian 7, Garcia 5, Tello 6, Joaquin 5, Guardado 6, Leon 6. Subs - Castro 5, Boudebouz 5, Camarasa 5.
Barcelona - Ter Stegen 5, Semedo 5, Vermaelen 5, Pique 7, Alba 7, Gomes 6, Rakitic 8, Busquets 7, Roberto 8, Messi 9, Suarez 8. Subs - Paulinho 6, Deulofeu 5, Umtiti 7.
KEY MOMENTS
- 5’ INCHES WIDE! That was close to the opener for Real Betis! Guardado pings an effort towards goal, but he just couldn't get the swerve on it and the ball flashes inches wide of the post.
- 39’ INJURY! Uh oh. This is a concern for Barcelona. Vermaelen pulled up and is now sitting on the ground. The Belgian has had a torrid time of it with injuries. Will he have to come off? Yes, he’s going to be replaced by Umtiti.
- 59’ GOAL! Real Betis 0-1 Barcelona: Finally, the breakthrough has come! Suarez threads through the pass for Rakitic and the former Sevilla player shows composure to finish past Adan. It was a calm conversion under the keeper.
- 64’ GOAL! Real Betis 0-2 Barcelona: The visitors have established a two-goal lead! Real Betis get caught out playing out from the back, with Messi onside when the pass is played forward and the Argentine dispatches the finish with aplomb.
- 69’ GOAL! Real Betis 0-3 Barcelona: And there's a third! The cross was played into the Real Betis penalty area by Rakitic and Suarez was on hand to slam home a sensational volley. Barca have scored three times in 10 minutes!
- 80’ GOAL! Real Betis 0-4 Barcelona: Terrible defending from Real Betis. Feddal gives the ball away cheaply, giving Messi the chance to drive at two defenders. He jinks past them and then slides the finish into the back of the net.
- 90’ GOAL! Real Betis 0-5 Barcelona: Messi passes up the opportunity to bag a hat-trick, instead playing a pass out to Suarez, who makes no mistake in slamming a finish high into the net. That was an astonishing finish!
KEY STATS
- Luis Suarez is the second Uruguayan player to reach 100 La Liga goals, after Diego Forlan.
- Lionel Messi is the only La Liga player to score 25 or more goals in each of the last 10 seasons (in all competitions).
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