FC Barcelona moved to within two points of the BBVA Primera Liga title on Sunday night thanks to a 4-2 win at home to Betis after an entertaining game of football in which the result was in doubt until the last 15 minutes.

Leo Messi scored two goals which gave his side the win and once again snatch the headlines as the Camp Nou was able to end a difficult week on a high note. [Sina.com.cn]

Leo Messi came of the subs' bench with 35 minutes remaining to score the two goals which gave his side the win and once again snatch the headlines as the Camp Nou was able to end a difficult week on a high note.

Barca went into the game with David Villa leading the attack alongside Alexis Sanchez and Christian Tello.

However, they were trailing as soon as the second minute as an innocuous header was allowed to bounce through a defense which looked as if it was half asleep, to fall to Dorlan Pabon, who ran only the ball to score with a right foot shot.

It was a shock to a Barca side still groggy after their Champions League exit to Bayern Munich, but Alexis Sanchez leveled the game after nine minutes following an Iniesta cross.

Barca then took control with Tello opening up the left wing time and again, but his passes into the area only served to see Villa miss chance after chance as he saw two shots saved by Betis keeper Adrian when it seemed easier to score.

Villa also volleyed over the bar after a fine move involving Xavi and Andres Iniesta, while Adrian also saved well from Tello.

With time running out in the half Tello then saw a shot bounce down off the crossbar and out to safety, before football being what it is Betis retook the lead: Alexis was robbed close to the edge of the Barca area and Ruben Perez fired home a 30 yard shot which left Jose Pinto, playing for the injured Victor Valdes, helpless.

Barca needed to get back into the game quickly after the break and the sight of Messi warming up on the touchline brought cheers from the fans in the ground, as well as a reaction from Vila who headed home the equalizer after the Betis defense made a mess of defending a Dani Alves cross, allowing the striker to head home from close range.

It was Villa's last act of the night as Messi replaced him before the kick off and the Argentinean needed just four minutes before putting his side ahead with a trademark free kick over the defensive wall and into the corner of the net.

He rounded off the scoring after 71 minutes with one of his easiest goals, but one which came after a magnificent move involving Iniesta and Alexis, who set the striker up with a simple tap in.

That goal killed off the game and if Real Madrid fail to beat Malaga this coming Wednesday Barcelona will be champions without needing to kick another ball.

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)