Barcelona kept the gap to five points behind Real Madrid after a 4-2 win against Real Betis at home. A result many Barça fans will be happy to see after losing a two goal advantage and allowing a very impressive Real Betis a chance to win the game.The Catalans started on the back foot with Real Betis bossing the opening stages of the game. After Betis passed up three good chances, Barcelona scored the first goal of the game with their first chance of the game.
Fàbregas saw his shot collide off the post to land at the feet of Xavi who stroked the ball past a stranded Casto. The Spaniard's ninth goal of the season may have been the easiest.
Barça didn't take long to double their lead. Betis seemed to still be unfocused by the first goal and Iniesta capitalised by stealing possession back. The World Cup winner then fed the ball to Alexis who could hit the cross first time. The cross found the back post where Messi was lurking. The Argentine tapped the ball in and made it 2-0 after 12 minutes.
Messi pressed again but could not beat the three defenders crowded around him. It was then Iniesta's turn for a bit of showmanship. Spotting the goalie of his line, he attempted a shot from the halfway line but the keeper made the save.
Betis did not give up but with no goals conceded at the Camp Nou this season, it seemed like a Herculean task to get two in one night.
Barcelona also looked likely to score but lacked the final effort on goal. An injured David Villa could only look on from the stands, wishing he was on the pitch.
Betis broke the clean sheet record on 32 minutes. A clever pass found Ruben Castro in the six yard box to score. Barcelona complained of offside but replays show Mascherano played the goal scorer onside.
Barcelona's three man defence started to look fragile but Betis had to settle for 2-1 going into half time. They started the second half where they left off and continued to test Barcelona's defence.
The equaliser came on the 52nd minute, much to the cules' shock. Roque Santa Cruz, who was brought on at half time, won possession and played a neat one-two with Ruben Castro. The return ball allowed Santa Cruz to find space on the edge of the box to finesse the ball past Valdés. The striker's third goal in three games.
A desperate Barcelona started forcing the play. A well timed run from Alves picked out by Xavi would have surely produced a goal had it not been for Casto's lighting quick pace off the line to punch clear.
Guardiola's men felt hard done by when Iniesta, who was tripped in the box, was booked for diving by referee Iglesias Villanueva.
Betis' chance of snatching a winner took a turn for the worst when Mario received his second yellow for a foul on Messi outside of the penalty area. Although Messi wasted the resultant free kick.
The one man advantage eventually paid off when Alexis broke clear of the defence and smashed the ball past Casto, who managed to get a good hand to it but could not keep it out. A huge sigh of relief was heard from the home fans and Barcelona settled into the game.
The game was finally killed off when Betis defender Dorado handballed in the area and Barcelona were awarded a penalty. The penalty was easily converted by Messi who aimed left and scored his second goal of the night.
Barcelona did get the result they were looking for but Guardiola will not be happy that he had to wait so long for it. Especially when he was looking to rest players for the midweek Clásico.
Full time result: Barcelona 4-2 Real Betis
Goalscorers: Barcelona: Xavi (9) Messi (11 & 84) Alexis (73) Real Betis: Ruben Castro (31) Santa Cruz (50)
Team Lineup:
Barcelona: Valdés, Puyol, Mascherano, Abidal, Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta (Adriano 88), Fàbregas (Thiago 83), Cuenca (Alves 45), Messi, Alexis Subs: Pinto, Piqué, Dos Santos, Sergi Roberto
Formation: 3-4-3
Real Betis: Casto, Isidoro, Mario, Chechu Dorado, Nacho, Salva Sevilla (Matilla 57), Iriney (Santa Cruz 45), Cañas, Ruben Castro, Jorge Molina (Ustaritz 73), Jefferson Montero Subs: Juanma, J.Pereira, Fabricio, Sergio
Formation: 4-3-3
Stadium: Camp Nou
Referee: Iglesias Villanueva
Attendance: 69,889
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