Real Betis 0-5 Barcelona: Valverde's side continue match towards title
Messi (2), Suarez (2) and Rakitic were on target in storming win
All five goals were scored in the second half of the game in Seville
Barcelona moved 11 points clear at the top of the league after blowing Real Betis away in the second half at the Benito Villamarín on Sunday.
BET
0 ________________ 5
FCB
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Betis
Adán, Francis, Mandi, Feddal, Durmisi, Javi García (Boudebouz, 77'), Fabián, Guardado, Tello, Joaquín y Sergio León (Rubén Castro, 72').
FC Barcelona
Ter Stegen, Semedo, Piqué, Vermaelen (Umtiti, 43'), Jordi Alba, Busquets (Deulofeu, 81'), Rakitic, André Gomes (Paulinho, 65'), Sergi Roberto, Messi y Suárez.
Goles
0-1: Rakitic (58'). 0-2: Messi (63'). 0-3: Suárez (68'). 0-4: Messi (80'). 0-5: Suárez (89').
Árbitro
Santiago Jaime Latre (colegio aragonés). Amonestó a André Gomes (20'), Durmisi (50'), Feddal (66'), Luis Suárez (66')
Incidencias
53.426 espectadores en el Benito Villamarín asistieron el duelo correspondiente a la 20ª jornada de la Liga Santander.
Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez both scored twice after Ivan Rakitic had opened the scoring as Barça picked up another three points after withstanding the home side's pressure in the first half.
The game had been delicately balanced but everything changed when Rakitic scored the opener in the 59th minute, with Betis falling apart as Messi and Suarez took charge.
It was perhaps no surprise that Ernesto Valverde's side came on so strong after the break. They have now scored 39 of their 56 league goals in the second of games, with just 17 scored in the opening period.
Barça are now unbeaten through 20 league games and 11 points clear of Atletico, who were held by Girona on Saturday.
With a number of players missing -- including Andres Iniesta and record signings Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele -- Valverde moved Sergi Roberto into midfield and started Andre Gomes.
Betis, roared on by the home crowd, started well and had chances to take the lead through Andres Guardado and Joaquin.
Barça gradually came into the game, with Roberto, Rakitic and Messi all missing first-half chances before Thomas Vermaelen was forced off injured, replaced the returning Samuel Umtiti.
The Catalans then stepped things up after the break.
Rakitic opened the scoring to crown a brilliant display, sliding home after being sent scuttling clean through by the impressive Suarez.
Messi added the second before Rakitic crossed for Suarez to fire home on the volley.
It was back to Messi for the fourth, the Argentine beating three men before slotting home after being found by Suarez.
And Messi then turned provider, driving in before providing a cute little pass for Suarez to rifle in his second and Barça's fifth of a commanding second-half performance.
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