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First Division - Day 19

Barcelona 4 - Betis 2

Barcelona: Víctor Valdés; Puyol, Mascherano, Abidal; Xavi, Busquets, Fábregas (Thiago 83'), Iniesta (Adriano 88'); Cuenca (Dani Alves 46'), Messi, Alexis. 3-4-3.
Betis: Casto; Isidoro, Mario, Dorado, Nacho; Salva Sevilla (Matilla 56'), Iriney (Santa Cruz 46'), Cañas, Jefferson Montero; Rubén Castro, Jorge Molina (Ustaritz 73). 4-4-2.

Goals:
1-0. 10. Xavi. On the follow up after Fàbregas shot came back off post.
2-0. 12. Messi. Got on the end of Alexis cross to turn ball in on far post.
2-1. 32. Rubén Castro. Turned shot past Valdés from Salva Sevilla pass.
2-2. 52. Santa Cruz. Collected Castro centre and struck shot past Valdés.
3-2. 75. Alexis. Picked up Xavi pass and ran on to shoot past Casto.
4-2. 86. Messi (penalty). After Dorado handled ball inside penalty area.

Yellow cards: Iriney 42', Messi 43', Salva Sevilla 46', Puyol 49', Mario 59', 70', Iniesta 68',Matilla 81', Dorado 85' / red cards: Mario 70'.

Barcelona keep in touch with leaders Real Madrid after a 4-2 win over Betis in the last match on Sunday, although they did have some problems before finally wrapping things up. The visitors went close a couple of times before Xavi gave the locals an early lead, turning the ball back in to the net after a shot from Fàbregas came back off the post. And although Messi made it two after Alexis set him up a couple of minutes later, Rubén Castro latched on to a pass from Salva Sevilla to get one back, the first away goal Valdés has conceded in the league all season. Seven minutes after the restart half time substitute Santa Cruz levelled the scores, and the visitors held their own until Mario was sent off for a second bookable offence with twenty minutes to go. Five minutes later Alexis picked up Xavi's lofted pass to beat Castro and restore the lead, and with the game coming to an end Messi made sure of the three points from the penalty spot after Dorado blocked Abidal's shot with his arm inside the area.