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Barcelona logo
La Liga
Dec 30, 2015 at 7.30pm UK
 
Real Betis logo

4-0

Westermann (29' og.), Messi (33'), Suarez (47', 83')
FT(HT: 2-0)

Half-Time Report: Barcelona in control against Real Betis

Lionel Messi scores on his 500th appearance for Barcelona to help them into a 2-0 lead at half time against Real Betis.

Barcelona are on course to return to the top of La Liga having taken a 2-0 lead into the halfway stage of their match against Real Betis at Camp Nou this evening.

Barcelona players celebrate the first goal during the game with Real Betis on December 30, 2015© AFP

It was the hosts who enjoyed the majority of the ball in the opening exchanges, but the first clear chance of the game went the way of Betis as Dani Ceballos stole possession from Dani Alves before bearing down on goal, only for Alves to recover and make a fine last-ditch challenge.

Barca responded with a chance of their own immediately afterwards as Luis Suarez picked out Neymar in the box, but the Brazilian steered his header straight at Adan.

Neymar missed another glorious chance to break the deadlock just before the half-hour mark when Barcelona were awarded a penalty for Adan clattering into Lionel Messi as he came to deal with a cross.

Neymar takes a seat during the game between Barcelona and Real Betis on December 30, 2015© AFP

Neymar's spot kick smashed against the bar, but his blushes were spared on the rebound as a mixture of Ivan Rakitic and Heiko Westermann poked the ball over the line.

Messi then marked his 500th Barcelona appearance with a goal of his own to put the hosts in command, combining with Neymar before applying a simple finish to the Brazilian's cutback.

Things began to unravel for the visitors, with manager Pepe Mel being sent to the stands, and they could have fallen even further behind moments later when Suarez was played clean through on goal before rounding the keeper, but he couldn't squeeze the ball in from a tight angle.

That proved to be the final chance of the first half as Barcelona went in with a comfortable lead to stay on track for top spot.

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Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi celebrates his goal past Barcelona's Brazilian defender Dani Alves during the Spanish Copa del Rey (King's Cup) final football match Athletic Club Bilbao vs FC Barcelona at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona12110140112933
2Real Madrid1173121111024
3Atletico MadridAtletico126511871123
4Villarreal116322019121
5Osasuna126331716121
6Athletic Bilbao125431812619
7Real BetisBetis125431210219
8Mallorca12534109118
9Rayo Vallecano114431210216
10Celta Vigo125161820-216
11Real Sociedad124351010015
12GironaGirona124351517-215
13Sevilla124351217-515
14AlavesAlaves124171419-513
15Leganes122551216-411
16Getafe12174810-210
17Espanyol123181122-1110
18Las PalmasLas Palmas122371321-89
19Real ValladolidValladolid12228924-158
20Valencia11146817-97


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