Messi, Suarez score as runaway leaders Barcelona thrash Real Betis News

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Messi, Suarez score as runaway leaders Barcelona thrash Real Betis

By Daily Sports on January 22, 2018

Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez scored a brace each as Barcelona extended their lead at the top of the Spanish La Liga table to 11 points following a 5-0 thrashing of Real Betis at the Estadio Benito Villamarin on Sunday.

Ernesto Valverde’s men went into the game on the back of their 1-0 defeat in the first leg of their Copa del Rey quater-final clash against Espanyol but gave a perfect response to the setback.

The Blaugrana are unbeaten in LaLiga this season.

Both teams struggled to create any meaningful chance in the first half with Ivan Rakitic and Lionel Messi coming close for Barcelona.

Thomas Vermaelen was withdrawn two minutes before the break due what looked like a hamstring injury with Samuel Umtiti his place.

Barcelona made the breakthrough in the 59th minute with Rakitic racing onto a through ball and slotting it into the net.

Messi added the second five minutes later with a left-foot shot after beating Betis’ offside trap.

Rakitic and Messi combined in the 69th minute with the former delivering an inviting cross for Suarez who volleyed home to make it three.

Messi grabbed his second of the game 10 minutes from the end. Suarez played a great ball out wide to the Argentine and as they found themselves two-on-two, he cut inside, and went past both defenders before scoring.

The rout was completed a minute when Suarez tucked the ball into the net after he was teed up by Messi.

•Photo shows Messi.

Source Daily Sports

Posted January 22, 2018