Barcelona twice came from behind to overcome Real Betis and avoid falling further behind Real Madrid at LaLiga's summit.
Match Report
Lionel Messi grabbed a hat-trick of assists as Barcelona ended a tumultuous week with a pulsating 3-2 LaLiga win over Real Betis at the Benito Villamarin on Sunday.
The Catalan giants were dumped out of the Copa del Rey by Athletic Bilbao in midweek, while Messi has been involved in a public spat with technical director Eric Abidal after he questioned the work ethic of some players under previous boss Ernesto Valverde.
Quique Setien's side got off to a terrible start against his former employers, with Sergio Canales' penalty putting the hosts ahead early on, but a wonderful goal from Frenkie de Jong pulled the champions level soon after.
Nabil Fekir - who was later dismissed for two bookable offences in quick succession - restored the hosts' advantage with a fine finish, before Sergio Busquets scored a second equaliser on the stroke of half-time.
Clement Lenglet then headed home Messi's free-kick 18 minutes from time to ensure Barca remain three points behind leaders Real Madrid after their 4-1 win at Osasuna earlier in the day, although the Frenchman blotted his copybook by picking up a second yellow card soon after Fekir's dismissal.
Standings
Match Events
6' Penalty Goal! Betis 1-0 Barcelona (Canales)
Fekir weaves his way into the box and opens up space for a strike. Lenglet makes the block, but the home side are adamant that he made it with his arm.
The referee overturns his decision after checking the screen at the side of the pitch. He awards a penalty to Betis.
Canales strides forward slowly and waits for Ter Stegen to commit himself. Canales strikes a low effort into the bottom-left corner, sending the German the wrong way.
9' GOAL! Betis 1-1 Barcelona (De Jong)
Barca are right back in the game as De Jong provides a clinical finish from close range. Messi opens up the Betis defence with a brilliant ball over the top. De Jong times his run to perfection and controls it on his chest before dispatching his effort on the half-volley through Robles.
26' GOAL! Betis 2-1 Barcelona (Fekir)
The home side are back in front through a fine strike from Fekir.
It begins as Vidal loses possession in the middle of the park to Rodriguez and Canales feeds Fekir. The forward surges at the Barca defence into the box and he drills a left-footed strike across Ter Stegen into the bottom-right corner.
45'+3' GOAL! Betis 2-2 Barcelona (Busquets)
Messi clips a free-kick into the box, which causes mayhem in the middle. Busquets controls it with his right boot before dispatching an effort on his left past Robles. Betis are furious with the decision as Bartra is seemingly caught in the air as he tries to challenge for the ball, but the goal stands.
72' GOAL! Betis 2-3 Barcelona (Lenglet)
Messi clips his cross into a dangerous position and Lenglet gets the better of Rodriguez in the air. The Frenchman connects with a thumping header towards goal where Robles slips at the vital moment. The ball travels away from the keeper into the right corner to hand Barcelona the advantage.
76' Two Yellow Card in three seconds! Fekir sent off
Fekir reacts to his booking with a dismissive hand gesture and is handed his second yellow card. He must have said something to the official. Fekir has his marching orders.
79' Second Yellow Card! Lenglet sent off
Lenglet is sent off for his second bookable offence as he pulls back Joaquin. The home crowd bay for blood and are satisifed as the referee produces the yellow then the red card.
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