Real Betis 1-4 Barcelona: Lionel Messi scores sensational hat-trick to leave home supporters bowing as blaugrana march towards La Liga title

Real Betis 1-4 Barcelona: Lionel Messi scores sensational hat-trick to leave home supporters bowing as blaugrana march towards La Liga title
Lionel Messi netted yet another sensational hat-trick as Barcelona continued their seemingly unstoppable march towards the LaLiga title with a comprehensive 4-1 win over Real Betis.All three goals in Messi’s 51st career treble were memorable, with a superb free-kick to open being followed by a clinical link-up with Luis Suarez before the Argentinian finished things off with a delightful dinked effort.Suarez also got in on the act with a fine solo goal while Betis’ reply, from Loren, was also one for the highlights reel from a hugely entertaining encounter at the Benito Villamarin Stadium.Lionel Messi scored a wonderful hat-trick in Betis3
Lionel Messi scored a wonderful hat-trick in Betis
The result sees Barca extend their advantage over second-placed Atletico Madrid, who lost on Saturday, to 10 points, and keeps them firmly on course for a possible LaLiga, Champions League and Copa del Rey treble this season.Betis were the last team to beat the Catalan giants in the league, stunning the Nou Camp with a 4-3 upset back in November, and they looked the more likely scorers in the early exchanges here.Former Barca youngster Cristian Tello was denied by a last-ditch tackle when clean through before the stretching Jese Rodriquez was just unable to turn in Joaquin Sanchez’s cross.However, the reigning Spanish champions weathered the storm and took the lead through a trademark Messi free-kick in the 18th minute.Messi and Luis Suarez combined for the Argentine’s third3
Messi and Luis Suarez combined for the Argentine’s third
Arthur Melo was brought down 25 yards out and Messi stepped up to curl an unstoppable shot into the top-right corner of Pau Lopez’s net.Messi had a chance to repeat the feat from an almost identical position seven minutes later, but this time he went for the other corner and Lopez was able to save.Eighth-placed Betis refused to buckle, though, and they caused more than a few problems for the Barca defence as they sought to level.But it should have been 2-0 in the 40th minute, Messi teeing up the unmarked Suarez inside the box only for the Uruguayan to mishit his shot and allow Lopez to save.The 32-year-old was simply unstoppable on the night3
The 32-year-old was simply unstoppable on the night
The two South Americans combined brilliantly again in first-half stoppage time, but this time Lopez could do nothing as Messi made it 2-0.Messi played a one-two with Suarez, whose clever back-heel put his team-mate through on goal, and the five-time Ballon d’Or winner lashed home his second of the night.Barca, who play Valencia in the Copa del Rey final and face Manchester United for a place in the Champions League semi-finals, set about trying to increase their lead in the second half and Suarez missed two good chances around the hour.However, Betis did not heed those warnings as, in the 63rd minute, Suarez did make it 3-0 when he escaped the attentions of three home defenders before coolly slotting past Lopez. The ensured the points would be heading home with Barca, but it was not the end of the scoring.Betis netted a deserved consolation in the 82nd minute when Loren side-footed into the top corner, but Messi ensured it would be him earning the headlines with yet another hat-trick.The Argentinian superstar beat Lopez with a perfect chip that went in off the underside of the bar in the 85th minute, and he almost added a fourth right at the death with a shot that came back off the post.Barca could hardly have asked for a better result heading into the international break, although the sight of the substituted Suarez limping off at the end could be a concern.

His behaviour has become even more erratic at United

Miralem Pjanic, who had been on duty for Bosnia and Herzegovina, took to Instagram to share of photo of himself posing with team-mates Cristiano Ronaldo, Paulo Dybala, Douglas Costa and Rodrigo
Juventus 1 Ajax 2: Cristiano Ronaldo goal not enough as Dutch

Martial looks set to stay at Old Trafford
Harry Redknapp reveals Chelsea fans sang 'Thursday night

Manchester City stars celebrate


Ousmane Dembele is a target for Arsenal and Liverpool, according to reports

Scotland boss McLeish to learn his fate on Thursday after SFA board meeting Alex McLeish is set to learn his fate on Thursday as Scottish Football Association chiefs meet to decide whether to stick with the Scotland boss, Press Association Sport understands.
Scottish FA to decide Alex McLeish future on Thursday

Phelan returned to Man United when Solskjaer was named caretaker manager
Transfer news and football gossip: Arsenal 'make contact

Mustafi was at fault for a goal Wilfried Zaha scored

Netherlands vs England: How Dutch side could line-up in UEFA Nations League semi-final, including Manchester United and Liverpool targets evening in a mouthwatering UEFA Nations League semi
How Dutch side could line-up in UEFA Nations League semi
fussboll.com/2019/06/06/how-dutch-side-could-line-up-in-uefa-nations-league-semi-final-including-manchester-united-and-liverpool-targets/
How Dutch side could line-up in UEFA Nations League semi-final, including Manchester United and Liverpool targets face England on Thursday evening The Three Lions
Netherlands vs England - Nations League semi-final date, time

Sissoko’s injury could see Spurs ring the changes.

Danny Murphy clashes with journalist who asked Pep Guardiola about Financial Fair Play after FA Cup triumph 29 mins ago Manchester United news: Marcos Rojo reveals why he and Angel Di Maria were both fined by the club
NewsNow: Danny Murphy news | Breaking News & Search 24/7

Seven years on, Van Dijk is now Netherlands captain and considered one of the best in the world

Tottenham cannot face Chelsea, Liverpool or Manchester City in the group stages, but could be drawn with any of the other five sides from pot one. Five other sides are certain to be in pot two alongside Spurs, and Chelsea, Liverpool or Manchester City could be drawn with any of those sides.
Liverpool fans react as Man City take early lead against Spurs

Manchester United fans are not happy with Paul Pogba

Gareth Bale could be offered in deals for Manchester United or Paris Saint-Germain star this summer, Spanish football expert tells talkSPORT.
Transfer Talk: Manchester United and Real Madrid in Gareth

Jonathan Kodjia lies on the floor injured, although he later walked off the pitch

Mesut Ozil has taken a swipe at Jesse Lingard following Arsenal's Premier League victory over Manchester United on Sunday. The Gunners leapfrogged United into fourth place with their 2-0 victory thanks to goals from Granit Xhaka and Pierre..
Mesut Ozil trolls Jesse Lingard after inspiring Arsenal to

Pogba captained United on occasion before being stripped of the armband

'A lot of people had written him off' - Ben Davies reveals the Tottenham squad are delighted about Moussa Sissoko's current form.
'A lot of people had written him off' - Ben Davies reveals
hollywoodadviser.com/a-lot-of-people-had-written-him-off-ben-davies-reveals-the-tottenham-squad-are-delighted-about-moussa-sissokos-current-form/
And having experienced teething issues of his own upon joining Tottenham, Davies was full of praise for Sissoko's resurgence. "It shows a lot of character," he added. "I think quite a lot of people had written him off at Spurs but I think as a squad we completely had faith in him and now he's getting the credit and plaudits he deserves.
Moussa Sissoko: How Tottenham star went from club-record flop

Justin Timberlake – Singer

Wolves host Leicester City in Saturday's early kick-off knowing a win can see them leapfrog the Foxes in the Premier League table. Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo sent off! Liverpool fans
Wolves boss Nuno charged with misconduct by FA for

Post a Comment

0 Comments