Barcelona notched up another comfortable win against Real Betis as Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick to set up a 4-1 win away from home. A magical free-kick and a sublime finish in the first half followed by another cool finish in the dying minutes of the second half completed the evening for the phenomenal Argentine as the Blaugrana went one more step closer to winning the La Liga trophy this season.
The hosts were in no position to come back into the match after the early setback in the first half but tried to come back into the game with a goal from Loren Moron in the 82nd minute. However, it was too little too late for them as Luis Suarez added to the scoreline with one goal in the 63rd minute before Messi made it 4-1 for the visitors.
Here is how the Barcelona players were rated from their win against Real Betis.
Marc Andre Ter Stegen: 7
Did not have much to do with most of the action taking place on the other end of the pitch. Could do nothing to stop Moren from spoiling his clean sheet.
Sergi Roberto: 6
Looked a little bit fatigued while running forward in the second half after having a brilliant first half. Went up the pitch with a lot of pace and backtracked well.
Gerard Pique: 7
Composed in the defence as ever. Played on the shoulders of the Betis forwards throughout the night.
Clement Lenglet: 6
Put in a good shift. However, he could have done better to prevent Moron from scoring the goal against the run of play.
Jordi Alba: 7
Flamboyant as always down the left-hand side. Delivered some excellent balls into the box.
Arturo Vidal: 6
Looked to sit back deep and help Arthur with passes to build up attacks. Could not keep up with the pace of the game as it progressed.
Sergio Busquets: 7
Superb composure in the midfield areas. Broke down the attacks in the middle of the pitch with well-timed interceptions.
Arthur: 7
Kept playing the ball into the box to set up Messi and Suarez. His passes and latent runs into the danger area were too good to pick up for the Betis players.
Ivan Rakitic: 6
Could not do much against the physicality of Carvalho in the first half. Kept getting the ball into the box with his accurate passing in the second half.
Luis Suarez: 8
Set up Messi for the second goal of the evening with a selfless assist while he could have just knocked it into the net around the goalkeeper. Scored one to make the win even sweeter for his side.
Lionel Messi: 10
He was magical on the night. Scored from a brilliant free kick to start the onslaught and then it was only him throughout the match. His finishing was sublime on the night, and his touch on the ball was good enough to get the better of the Betis defence. Man of the Match hands down.
Substitutes
Nelson Semedo: 6
Did well after he came on in the second half for his short stint.
Carles Alena: NA
Played too little to warrant a rating.
Philippe Coutinho: NA
Played too little to warrant a rating.
