Saturday, August 20, 2016

Barcelona 6-2 Real Betis: Suarez and Messi shine in easy win

The Former Liverpool man netted three while the Argentine grabbed two for the reigning champion as they got the new campaign off to a perfect start

Barcelona began the defence of their La Liga title in ominous fashion on Saturday, with Lionel Messi and hat-trick hero Lius Suarez starring in a 6-2 demoliton of Real Betis at Camp Nou.

Suarez and Messin netted 66 League goals between them last term and began the new campaign as they meant to go on, leading from the front and causing havoc as the Betis defence struggled to cope.

Barca's star duo were without Neymar due to his involvement in the Olympics, but Arda Turan continued his renaissance in the Brazilian's absence by opening the scoring- his third goal in two games after a vrace against Sevilla in the Supercopa de Espana on Wednesday.

Ruben Castro's bullet of a free-kick restred parity briefly, but a quick-fire double from Messi and Suarez just before the break effectively killed off Betis'chances.

Messi supplied Suarez with his next early in the second half before then blasting in another of his own from distance.

Suareze completed his treble with a delightful free-kick eight minutes from time, as new Betis coach Gus Poyet was given a harsh lesson in his first game in charge of the Andalusians, despite Castro's late second.

Injured Barca captain Andres Iniesta and Messi were finally presented with last season's liga trophy before kick-off, and those celebrations were followed by further jubilation just six minutes in as the hosts broke the deadlock.

Messi's deep cross picked out the run of Jordi Alba and the left-back teed up Arda, who stavved home from close range with the outside of his right foot.

That joy was short-lived, though, as Betis drew level 15 minutes later thanks to a ferocious 20-yard Castro free-kick which found the top-right corner.
Barca piled on the pressure in response and almost restored their lead in the 29th minute, only for the crossbar to deny Messi from 12 yards.

Messi found his range eight minutes before the break, however, lashing a fine strike beyond the helpless Antonio Adan from 25 yards.

And Adan was beaten again just a few moments later-Suarez meeting Sergi Roberto's cut-backwith an exquiste first-time finish into the far corner.

Barca increased their cushion 11 minutes into the second half, with Messi leading a counter-attack and then squaring across goal to give Suarez an easy finish after linking cleverly with Arda.

Messi then did it all by himself a minute later, skipping past a tame challenge before thrashing a blistering strike into the bottom-right corner form 30 yards.

Suarez emphatically completed his hat-trick with a stunning free-kick form 25 yards in the 82nd minute and . although Castro netted a late consolation for Betis, Barca secured a remarkable opening-day triumph, laying down a clear marker for likely title rivals Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid.


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