Barcelona beaten by Betis, suffer first league home loss in two years

BARCELONA: Barcelona misplaced at house in La Liga for the primary time in additional than two years as Real Betis pulled off a shocking 4-3 victory at the Camp Nou on Sunday, despite Lionel Messi scoring twice on his go back from damage.

Barca final persisted defeat on their own patch towards Alaves in September 2016 but, following 42 games unbeaten, their run used to be halted by way of a brilliant, counter-attacking show from Betis.

After 5 games out injured, Messi returned to Barca's starting line-up but his two goals, one from the penalty spot and some other deep into injury-time, proved little more than consolations.

Junior Firpo and Joaquin had put Betis two up at the period sooner than Messi sparked hopes of a comeback from the spot.

Giovani Lo Celso then capitalised on a rare mistake from Marc-Andre ter Stegen just for Barca to come once more, Arturo Vidal making it 3-2, having come on instead.

Ivan Rakitic used to be sent off, on the other hand, with 9 mins left and Sergio Canales added a fourth for Betis sooner than Messi poked house in the 92nd minute.

Barca stay top of the table despite the defeat but their lead is down to at least one point, with Atletico Madrid now respiring down their necks in 2d, whilst Espanyol can have an opportunity to move level on points with the Catalans when they seek advice from Sevilla later on Sunday.

Ernesto Valverde's Barca play Atletico at the Wanda Metropolitano after the world spoil.

Betis appeared faster, sharper and hungrier whilst Barcelona's midfield used to be many times carved open at the spoil.

It took 5 passes for the opener, the final a first-time pressure from William Carvalho to unfastened Junior down the left. He weaved inside Sergi Roberto and located the web.

Barca had chances. Messi's free-kick found Clement Lenglet at the stretch but his lunging end used to be tipped over by way of Pau Lopez. Ter Stegen denied Cristian Tello together with his legs.

Betis have been soon pouring onto Barca´s defence once more, with Junior's go evading everybody sooner than discovering Lo Celso at the opposite aspect of the box. His lovable cut-back picked out veteran winger Joaquin, who stabbed in Betis' 2d.

Vidal changed the jaded Arthur Melo at half-time and shot inside a minute of the restart. Messi feathered a through-ball for Sergi but Betis survived the scramble as Luis Suarez lashed extensive.

Barca had the momentum and in the 68th minute, they pulled one back, with Jordi Alba pulled down by way of Tello, and Messi changing the penalty for his eighth league goal of the season.

But the comeback stalled three mins later as Betis restored their two-goal advantage. Ter Stegen made the error, letting Lo Celso's shot slip by way of his hands and into the far corner.

Barca weren't completed but. Two substitutes blended for a 2d, Munir El Haddadi laying on Vidal to make it 3-2 but no sooner had the restoration started once more, it used to be halted.

First, Rakitic used to be sent off, a 2d yellow card for a past due problem on Lo Celso, and then Canales pushed in Betis' fourth from Junior's go.

Messi added his 2d in injury-time, tapping a Vidal move over the line. The video assistant referee deemed Messi onside but there used to be no more past due drama as Betis hung on for a shock victory.