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
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Your support makes all the difference.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
57 minutes
Clever set-piece routine from Barca, with Messi setting up Sergi Roberto, but the right-back's shot is well over the bar. Good chance that - he wasn't under any pressure.
58 minutes
Messi feeds Suarez in behind the Betis defence, and his powerful shot beats Lopez at his near post, but hits the side netting.
60 minutes
Betis do remain dangerous on the counter-attack, and Firpo sets up Joaquin in the box, but he mistimes his shot and it sails over.
61 minutes
Scorer of Betis' second goal Joaquin leaves the field, and is replaced by former Real Madrid player Sergio Canales.
64 minutes
Cristian Tello, the former Barcelona winger, is inches away from a goal, as his right-footed shot goes just wide of ter Stegen's far post. That may well have been curtains for Barcelona.
PENALTY TO BARCELONA! 67 minutes
Messi's threaded ball finds Jordi Alba in the box, but he is pulled back by Tello and the referee gives a penalty.
GOAL! Barcelona 1-2 Real Betis, 68 minutes
Lionel Messi scores on his return, striking his penalty high to the goalkeeper's left, giving Lopez no chance.
The comeback is on - Barca have 22 minutes to save themselves.
69 minutes
Barcelona make their third and final substitution, with Busquets making way for Carles Alena.
GOAL! Barcelona 1-3 Real Betis, 71 minutes
Giovani Lo Celso scores, and its an absolute howler from ter Stegen!
Lo Celso's shot is powerful but straight at the goalkeeper, but the German lets it through his grasp!
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