Messi Inspires To Barca To Victory In Five-Goal Thriller
10 February, 2020
LaLiga
Result: Real Betis 2-3 FC Barcelona
Date: 09 January 2020
Venue: Estadio Benito Villamarín
Lionel Messi registered three assists to help FC Barcelona claim an essential 3-2 victory over Real Betis at Estadio Benito Villamarín on Sunday night.
Barca recalled Samuel Umtiti, as Junior Firpo got a rare start at left-back before Jordi Alba while Antoine Griezmann and Arturo Vida were handed starts.
The Catalan giants got of to a bad start after conceding a penalty in the fourth minute for a handball by Clement Lenglet inside box from Nabir Fekir's strike. Sergio Canales stepped up and fired the hosts ahead from the penalty spot.
However, Betis' lead was short-lived as Frenkie de Jong beat the offside trap and equalised for the visitors with an unstoppable low volley after chest-trapping a wonderful chip by Lionel Messi.
Blaugrana had an excellent chance to go ahead on 23 minutes after Griezmann threaded a neat pass that sent Messi clear on goal at the near post however the Argentine was closed down quickly by Betis shot-stopper Joel Robles.
Joan Francesc's troops restored their lead 3 minutes later after Fekir experienced on the left side of the box and drilled a minimal strike in to the bottom corner.
Quique Setien's troops were back on level terms in first-half stoppage time after Sergio Busquets controlled well Messi's free-kick before firing house with a clinical finish.
Messi had an opportunity to give Barca the lead two minutes from the break however the Argentine's shot was saved by Robles at the near post, while Robles denied the skipper once again on the hour mark.
While Messi was unable to score, he were able to play in Barcelona taking the lead with 18 minutes remaining after Lenglet powered home a header to the trunk of the web from the Argentine's delightful cross.
Betis were reduced to ten men within the last 14 minutes after Fekir got his second yellow card for dissent while Barca also suffered the same fate 11 minutes before time after Lenglet went from hero to villian with another booking after pulling Joaquin's shirt.
Regardless of the late push from Betis, Barcelona could actually hang on for victory to move within three points of league leaders Real Madrid in second spot.
Source: www.soccerladuma.co.za