The returning Lionel Messi scored twice but was unable to prevent LaLiga leaders Barcelona slipping to a chaotic 4-3 defeat to Real Betis at Camp Nou.
2018/2019 La Liga
3-4
Match Report
Messi – making his first appearance since fracturing his arm against Sevilla on October 20 – could only watch on as Barca's defence was ripped apart by Betis, who ended a run of eight straight defeats away to the Catalan side.
Ernesto Valverde's men started sluggishly and were punished after 20 minutes when Junior scored his second league goal of the season before veteran winger Joaquin doubled their advantage 11 minutes before the interval.
Messi pulled one back from the penalty spot after 68 minutes before Marc-Andre ter Stegen spilled Giovani Lo Celso's shot into his own net three minutes later.
Arturo Vidal gave Barca hope of a grandstand finish 11 minutes from time but Sergio Canales slid home a Betis fourth with seven minutes remaining and not even a second from Messi in stoppage time could save the hosts.
Match Events
20' GOAL! Barcelona 0-1 Betis (Firpo)
GOOOOOOAL! 1-0 Betis! The visitors hit on the counter as Carvalho feeds a ball through the defence to Firpo, who has no support but beats Roberto and shifts the ball onto his right foot before drilling a finish past Ter Stegen at the near post.
27' Amazing save from Lopez to deny Lenglet's shot
34' GOAL! Barcelona 0-2 Betis (Joaquin)
GOOOOOOAL! 2-0 Betis! Again the visitors find space in the wide positions and again they make it count! Firpo's drilled cross goes all the way through and Tello pulls a pass back across goal where Joaquin provides a one-touch finish to double Betis' advantage.
68'Penalty Goal! Barcelona 1-2 Betis (Messi)
GOAL! Barcelona pull one back! Messi marks his return from injury with a goal by smashing a penalty into the top corner, giving Lopez no chance.
71' GOAL! Barcelona 1-3 Betis (Lo Celso)
3-1 Betis! A disaster for Ter Stegen! Tello drags a ball back into the middle where Lo Celso strikes at goal but it is straight at the Germany international. However, he is unable to clutch onto possession and only palms the effort over his head and into the net.
79' GOAL! Barcelona 2-3 Betis (Vidal)
GOOOOAL! 3-2! Barcelona are back in it again! Messi plays a killer pass through the defence to Munir and he unselfishly taps a ball across to Vidal, who tucks home into an empty net.
81' Second Yellow Card! Rakitic sent off
RED CARD! Oh my word! Barcelona shoot themselves in the foot again! Rakitic lunges in on Lo Celso in midfield and picks up a deserved yellow card, which sees the referee issue marching orders to the Croatia midfielder.
83' GOAL! Barcelona 2-4 Betis (Canales)
4-2 Betis! Unbelievable! Junior finds space beyond Roberto and drills a superb ball into the middle where Canales is lurking, stabbing home easily just inside the six-yard box.
92' GOAL! Barcelona 3-4 Betis (Messi)
4-3! Vidal has space inside the area and latches onto Suarez's inviting pass through, then tapping the ball across for Messi to tuck home easily. Real Betis plead for offside and, after a delay for a VAR check, a goal is awarded!
Line-ups
Barcelona XI: L. Messi, L. Suárez, Piqué, I. Rakitić, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, M. ter Stegen, S.Roberto, Lenglet, Arthur, Malcom
Subs: Vidal, Jasper Cillessen, D.Suárez, S. Umtiti, Semedo, Munir, Carles Aleñà
Betis XI: Joaquín, A. Guardado, Sidnei , Mandi, Bartra, Tello, William Carvalho, Pau López, G. Lo Celso, Loren Morón, Júnior Firpo
Subs: Barragán, T. Inui, Canales, Joel Robles, S.León, Feddal, A.Sanabria