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Real Betis logo
La Liga
Dec 9, 2012 at 8pm UK
 
Barcelona logo

1-2

Castro (39')
FT(HT: 1-2)
Messi (16', 25')

Lionel Messi breaks goal record to give Barcelona victory

Record-breaking Lionel Messi scores twice to earn Barcelona a narrow 2-1 victory at Real Betis in La Liga.

Record-breaking Lionel Messi has scored twice to give Barcelona a narrow 2-1 victory at Real Betis in tonight's La Liga encounter.

The Argentine has now hit the net 86 times for club and country in the past 12 months, overtaking Gerd Muller's previous tally of 85.

Lionel Messi celebrates with teammates after scoring his first against Betis on December 9, 2012© AP Photos

Messi's first of the night came after 16 minutes as he drove into the penalty area before firing low past Adrian.

The 25-year-old then surpassed Muller when he fired in following Andres Iniesta's clever assist.

However, Ruben Castro was allowed to advance before converting past Victor Valdes on 39 minutes to give Betis a lifeline going into the second half.

The home side nearly drew themselves level before the hour in bizarre circumstances, but Valdes was able to make amends after he dropped the ball under his own crossbar.

Betis then hit the woodwork twice as Benat and Alejandro Pozuelo were both denied by the frame of the goal.

Barca struck the crossbar in the final minutes through Jordi Alba as they were able to hang on for the three points.

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Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring against Zaragoza on November 17, 2012
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Today's games header
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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