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As it happenedended

Barcelona vs Real Betis LIVE - Lionel Messi scores twice but Barca slump to thrilling 4-3 defeat

Follow live coverage of the La Liga clash

Kieran Jackson
Sunday 11 November 2018 13:12 EST
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Barcelona can extend their lead at the top of the table to four points
Barcelona can extend their lead at the top of the table to four points (Getty)

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Lionel Messi makes his first appearance for FC Barcelona since injuring his arm against Sevilla in October.

Barcelona are looking to extend their lead at the top of the table and can create a four point gap between them and Atletico Madrid with a win against Real Betis.

The Catalonian side were denied a slim victory against Inter Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday when Malcom’s 83rd minute strike was levelled by Mauro Icardi four minutes later.

Follow live updates below:

When is it?

Barcelona vs Real Betis begins at 15:15 GMT at the Camp Nou

How to watch

Eleven Sports will be showing live coverage on Eleven Sports 1

Odds

Barcelona to win: 1/5

Real Betis to win: 12/1

Draw: 6/1

Prediction

Barcelona 2-0 Real Betis

12 minutes

First sign of Messi coming to life. He brilliantly skips past two challenges, but his goal-bound shot is blocked in the box. 

Kieran Jackson11 November 2018 15:29

15 minutes 

Messi links up intricately with Suarez in the box, but Suarez is pushed out wide by the Betis defence. Incredibly, the referee doesn't give what was a clear corner. 

Kieran Jackson11 November 2018 15:34

GOAL! Barcelona 0-1 Real Betis, 20 minutes

Betis take a shock lead here, and what a brilliant goal by Junior Firpo

The Spaniard gets behind the Barcelona defence on the left, and after beating Sergi Roberto with a few stepovers, he beats ter Stegen at his near post. 

Kieran Jackson11 November 2018 15:37

22 minutes

Betis are almost in again, as Firpo finds himself in plenty of space on the left, but this time his shot is blocked. Barcelona on the back foot here. 

Kieran Jackson11 November 2018 15:41

24 minutes

Yellow card for Betis midfielder Andres Guardado, who cynically brings down Messi. 

Kieran Jackson11 November 2018 15:42

25 minutes 

From the resulting free-kick, Messi's cross finds Clement Lenglet whose improvised volley is well saved by Betis keeper Pau Lopez high to his right. 

Kieran Jackson11 November 2018 15:44

27 minutes 

The stage is set for Messi with another free kick 30 yards out, but his shot deflects off the wall safely into Lopez's hands. 

Kieran Jackson11 November 2018 15:45

30 minutes

Betis have two great chances in the space of a minute!

First, ex-Barca player Christian Tello's shot is well saved by ter Stegen before Joaquin's finish goes just wide. 

Kieran Jackson11 November 2018 15:51

GOAL! Barcelona 0-2 Real Betis, 34 minutes

Betis have their second, and you have to say they deserve it!

It's Joaquin who this time finishes from 12 yards out after being found unmarked by Tello's cross.

Is an upset on the cards here at the Nou Camp?

Kieran Jackson11 November 2018 15:53

39 minutes

Betis are getting in behind Barca's defence at will and this time it's Loren Moren whose right-footed shot goes just wide of ter Stegen's right-hand post. 

Kieran Jackson11 November 2018 15:58

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