Barcelona welcomed Real Betis to Camp Nou on Wednesday needing to win in order to finish 2016 atop the La Liga table.
Betis managed to contain the hosts in the early moments, but Barcelona took the lead in the 29th minute when Heiko Westermann poked into his own net after Neymar's penalty had rattled the crossbar.
Just four minutes later, Barcelona had their second as Lionel Messi netted on his 500th appearance for the club.
Luis Suarez got in on the act early in the second period for 3-0, before the striker added a second late on to make it a comfortable night for the Catalan outfit.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Not much of a winter break in La Liga was it?! Action in Spain's top flight does not usually resume until early January, but that is not the case this season! Real Madrid have already been in action this afternoon – beating Real Sociedad 3-1 to take first spot in the table – and now it is the turn of Barcelona, who have dropped to second courtesy of Real Madrid's home win, but the Catalan outfit are just one point off the summit and now have two games in hand. Here's to a good game!
To suggest that the omens are not great for Betis here would be putting it mildly. Barcelona are unbeaten in their last eight league matches with Betis – recording six wins in the process. The last time that the two teams met in this stadium was in November 2013, when Barcelona ran out 4-1 winners. What's more, Barcelona have scored 10 times in their last three league matches against the Andalusian outfit.
Right, time for some team news. Barcelona have had their injury problems in recent weeks, but who has made it for this match? Both managers have revealed their line-ups for the clash here...
... Messi will make his 500th appearance for Barcelona tonight. What a player he has been for this wonderful football club. He starts in a front three that also includes Neymar and Luis Suarez.
TEAMS:
BARCA: Bravo; Alves, Vermaelen, Mascherano, Mathieu; Busquets, Roberto, Rakitic; Neymar, Messi, Suarez
BETIS: To follow...
We will just hold off on the Betis team news until we receive actual confirmation of the XI. Barcelona, however, have been so kind as to reveal their team. As mentioned, Messi, Neymar and Suarez all start, while there are spots at the back for both Thomas Vermaelen and Jeremy Mathieu. Sergi Roberto also starts in the middle of the park ahead of Andres Iniesta, who is on the bench here.
CONFIRMED TEAMS:
BARCA: Bravo; Alves, Vermaelen, Mascherano, Mathieu; Busquets, Roberto, Rakitic; Neymar, Messi, Suarez
BETIS: Adan; Molinero, Bruno, Westermann, Vargas; N'Diaye, Petros, Cejudo; Ceballos, Castro, V.Wolfswinkel
Wow - Betis boss Pepe Mel is going for it this evening. It appears that the visitors will line-up in a 4-4-3 formation, with top scorer Ruben Castro joined in the final third by on-loan Norwich forward Ricky van Wolfswinkel and Dani Ceballos. Brazilian midfielder Petros also starts, but there is no room in the XI for Rafael van der Vaart, who starts on a bench that also includes club legend Joaquin.
So there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now around 40 minutes from kickoff on this mild evening in Barcelona. As mentioned, the Catalan outfit have dropped to second spot following Real Madrid's 3-1 win over Sociedad earlier this afternoon, but they have now played two games less than their big rivals. Victory this evening would see Luis Enrique's side regain first spot in the division.
It is 10 days since Barcelona won the Club World Cup in Japan – first overcoming Guangzhou Evergrande, before beating River Plate in the final. Luis Suarez scored five times across the two matches to help his team win the trophy, while Messi and Neymar both returned for the final and the wonderful attacking trio will once again be looking to cause havoc in this match.
It is worth remembering though that Barcelona have actually drawn their last two league matches. They put together a six-game winning run in the league after losing to Sevilla, but were held to a 1-1 draw at Valencia on December 5, before throwing away a two-goal lead against Deportivo La Coruna before the winter break. Failure to take maximum points from those two games has allowed Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid back into the race. Incidentally, Atletico are currently being held at Rayo Vallecano.
UPDATE! Atletico have taken the lead against Rayo in the very final moments, Angel Correa on the scoresheet for the visitors. As it stands, Diego Simeone's side are heading top of the La Liga table!
UPDATE! Make that 2-0, Antoine Griezmann has netted a second for Atletico, who are heading to the top of the table ahead of both Barcelona and Real Madrid. Great result for them in Madrid!
Barcelona have a big derby away to Espanyol to come this weekend, before hosting Granada and Athletic Bilbao in back-to-back home games next month. Real Madrid's form tailed off after they won the 2014 Club World Cup and head coach Luis Enrique will be keen to avoid a similar scenario for his club this year. As expected, they are the favourites for the title as we approach 2016.
FULL-TIME! Confirmation that Atletico have won 2-0 at Rayo and indeed moved to the top of the division. Barcelona need to win against Betis here to ensure that they end 2016 atop the table.
Barcelona seem to be setting records all over the place and they are chasing another one here. As it stands, they have scored 176 times in 2015 and have their sights set on Real Madrid's record number of 178, which occurred in 2014. Betis are a good team, but it would not be a surprise to anyone, myself included, if the Catalan outfit found the back of the net on three or more occasions here.
The Spanish giants have conceded 15 goals in their 15 league matches this season, while they have netted 36 down the other end. Their goal difference at this stage is inferior to Real Madrid, but with the head-to-head record standing in Spain, it is the results against title rivals that will be more important. The first Clasico of the season was a bit of a cracker wasn't it, for Barcelona anyway!
As for Betis, they will enter this match in 11th position in the table. The Seville outfit have won five of their 16 league matches this season, drawing five and losing the further six. They have really struggled for goals, only managing 13 at this stage and eight of those have been scored by 34-year-old striker Ruben Castro, who also has five goals in his last five league games against Barcelona.
Betis have actually only conceded 19 times in the league this season, but their lack of goals down the other end has proved a real problem. They have only won one of their last five in the league, meanwhile, and that came away to struggling Levante at the end of November. This month, they have drawn with both Celta Vigo and Sevilla, and also lost 1-0 at struggling Las Palmas.
Pepe Mel's side have a couple of nice-looking fixtures to come in the next couple of weeks – Eibar (H) and Getafe (A) but they will then travel to Villarreal before welcoming Real Madrid. Eleventh position in the table is far from severe at this stage, but they are only six points outside of the relegation zone, which is currently occupied by Rayo Vallecano, Las Palmas and Levante.
It is 108 years since Betis were formed and it is worth remembering that they are former Spanish champions, having lifted the La Liga title in the 1934-35 season. They have been forced to play Segunda Division football three times since 2009, but four of their last five campaigns have been in the top flight.
Betis were relegated from La Liga in the 2013-14 season, but returned at the first time of asking after winning the Segunda. They finished fourth in the top flight in the 2004-05 season, but have managed just one top-half finish since then (seventh in 2012-13). It has been a difficult few years for Betis, but they are a club that has the facilities and fan-base to be playing European football on a regular basis.
PREDICTION! It is difficult to make a case for Betis tonight. Barcelona might well need to be patient against a team that has the potential to cause problems on the counter, but I just cannot see anything other than a comfortable home win. I am going to back a 3-1 Barcelona victory tonight.
KICKOFF! Here we go then - the pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged on this mild evening in Barcelona. Time for kickoff. Barcelona need to win in order to end 2015 atop the La Liga table, but Betis do not concede many goals. Right, the visitors kick us off...
... can we all just take a moment to have a look at this. Someone hold me.
As expected, Barcelona have dominated the possession in the opening three minutes, with Betis sitting deep and keeping their shape. That will be the pattern of this match. Neymar and Cejudo have a little clash off-the-ball, but the referee is on hand to calm proceedings. Now, now kids!
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the early moments, but Barcelona remain in control of the possession. You sense that the first goal here - if there indeed is one - could be vital.
Neymar has been heavily involved in the early moments and the Brazilian wins another free kick for his team following a late challenge from Molinero. The set piece is delivered into the Betis box, but it is a green and white shirt that makes first contact. Barcelona have the territorial advantage here.
It has been a busy opening nine minutes for the referee and the free-kick count continues to rise as Busquets chops Cejudo to the deck. The resulting set piece is played short, however, and eventually cleared. Neither goalkeeper has been called into action in the early exchanges in Barcelona.
Betis have a decent shape about them at the moment and the fact that they are leaving Castro and Van Wolfswinkel up-field is making Busquets drop a little deeper. You get the feeling that the visitors will need to ride out the opening 15, 20 minutes without conceding if they are to stand a chance here.
Betis remain nice and busy in the middle of the park and the fact that the referee has not produced a card thus far is allowing them to get away with a series of late challenges. Barcelona's latest free kick is delivered by Messi towards Suarez, but Adan comes a long way and produces a super punch!
It is a case of so far, so good for Betis as the visitors continue to contain Barcelona, who have had the majority of the ball without creating a proper chance. It is a competitive game at Camp Nou!
Betis are going to be forced into a change as Bruno hits the deck and signals to the bench...
... BETIS SUB! Pezzella enters in place of Bruno, who appeared to pick up a knock in a collision with his own goalkeeper. Not what Pepe Mel would have wanted at this stage of the match.
Rakitic is forced to come back and concede a corner following a smart break from Betis, who have started to cause some problems in the final third. The resulting set piece is delivered by Ceballos, but Bravo comes to punch clear after Westermann had clipped a header towards the back post.
Barcelona have been a little sluggish thus far this evening, which is not too much of a surprise off the back of their Club World Cup win in Japan. It has been 10 days since they won that trophy, but it will take a bit of time to return to full speed. The free-kick count, meanwhile, continues to rise.
Messi is standing over a free kick in an advanced position outside the Betis box...
... Messi goes for goal, but his effort was always moving wide of Adan's post.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the away side to take the lead as Ceballos robs Alves of the ball before driving towards goal, but Alves comes from nowhere to make a stunning challenge and deny the Betis attacker a shot on goal. Quite wonderful defending from Alves there!
CHANCE! Barcelona go straight down the other end and threaten when Suarez picks out Neymar with a super cross, but the Brazilian can only head straight at Adan. Should have scored there!
PENALTY BARCELONA!
Barcelona are awarded a penalty in incredible circumstances as Adan punches clear, but catches Messi just after. The ball had been cleared when the Betis goalkeeper punched clear, but Adan did catch Messi on the follow-through and the Argentine is still down inside the box. What a moment!
Betis cannot believe it and continue to argue as Messi rises to his feet. Poor decision!
GOAL! Barcelona 1-0 Betis (Westermann OG)
Neymar smashes his penalty against the crossbar, but the rebound falls to Rakitic and the Croatian, with some help from Westermann, manages to poke home. Should be an own goal!
BOOKING! Petros (Betis) is booked for dissent.
Neymar appeared to get two touches on his penalty, which should have disallowed the goal. The award of the spot kick was harsh and Betis will not believe their luck that it still went in after Neymar had smashed the crossbar. It is a big moment in this game and in the La Liga title race.
GOAL! Barcelona 2-0 Betis (Messi)
It is all going very wrong for Betis. Barcelona have their second of the match as Neymar combines with Messi before sliding a low cross into the Argentine, who has the simple task of netting from inside the box. Simple goal and Messi was always going to score on his 500th Barcelona appearance.
Betis boss Mel has had too much to say to the officials and has been sent to the stands!
BETIS SUB! Betis are forced into their second change of the match as Digard enters the field in place of Westermann, who has had a miserable last few minutes. How is your luck Betis!
CHANCE! Incredible chance for Barcelona to score a third as Suarez beats the offside trap before sitting Adan on the deck, but the striker misses the target from a tight angle. That really should have been 3-0 to the hosts, who are now threatening to run riot against the Andalusian side.
Unfortunately, Betis are probably now out of this match. The visitors started quite well and indeed made it tough for the hosts, but a poor decision from the referee and a huge slice of luck ensured that Barcelona took the lead, before Messi netted for 2-0. It is a long way back from this score!
Confirmation that Mel was a naughty boy...
Molinero now hits the deck for Betis following a challenge with Roberto and it does not look good. The two players clashed and there is definitely some blood on the head of the Betis right-back.
Molinero is back on his feet and should be fit to continue. They cannot afford another injury!
Two minutes have been added at the end of the first period.
HALF-TIME: Barcelona 2-0 Betis
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Barcelona leading 2-0 at Camp Nou. Betis actually started quite well and made it difficult for the hosts, but Luis Enrique's side took the lead in the 29th minute when Westermann turned into his own net after Neymar had rattled the crossbar with a penalty, before Messi scored on his 500th Barcelona appearance for 2-0.
STATS! Barcelona have dominated the possession with 68%, while they have had six attempts - two of which were on target. Betis, meanwhile, have only mustered one attempt on target and two in total. There have also been two yellow cards - Vargas and Petros both in the book for Betis here.
BENCH WATCH! Barcelona have an embarrassment of riches on their bench this evening, with the likes of Alba, Adriano, Munir, Iniesta and Pique all available for Luis Enrique. Betis, meanwhile, have already been forced into two defensive changes - Bruno and Westermann going off for Pezzella and Digard. Attacking pair Joaquin and Van der Vaart are both available for the visitors though.
MATCH PIC!
RESTART! Here we go then - both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Can Betis find a route back into the match? It will be tough! The hosts resume the action at Camp Nou...
... no changes from either manager at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. Betis need to be careful that this does not turn into a hiding. The game, in truth, might already be gone here.
GOAL! Barcelona 3-0 Betis (Suarez)
Barcelona have their third of the match as Busquets regains possession outside the Betis box before slipping a pass into Suarez, who simply rolls his effort into the bottom corner!
Well, Betis would have wanted to pass the ball a little bit in the early stages of the second period, but Barcelona are hunting in packs and it would not be a surprise to see them hit four or five tonight. It is a shame because before the penalty incident, this was a very even game of football.
Another half-chance for the home team as Messi plays a super pass into Suarez, who dances into the Betis box, but the striker takes one touch too many and Adan is out to jump on the ball.
It is obviously nice to see good football, but I am disappointed that this is not more of a contest. Betis are a good football team, but they have just been blown away either side of the break.
I am not sure what Neymar has been having for his tea over the last 12 months, but I want some. The Brazilian dances past two challenges before floating a wonderful pass into Alves, but the right-back's cross is blocked. Neymar has quickly become one of the finest players in the world.
Bit of ill-feeling on the pitch now...
BARCELONA SUB! Marc Bartra replaces Busquets for the home team.
Half-chance for Betis as Van Wolfswinkel drives into the Barcelona box, but instead of shooting, he delivers a cross towards Castro and Vermaelen is on hand to clear. The home side immediately break down the other end with Suarez, but the striker is just caught in an offside position.
Little over 30 minutes of football remaining and Barcelona are just so, so comfortable. You have to feel for Betis, but they will now be looking ahead to 2016. Head coach Mel has a lot to ponder!
Messi has another half-chance for the home team after being set up by Neymar, but the Argentine's powerful strike is blocked by Pezzella. Still 3-0 to the home side at Camp Nou.
POST! Neymar hits the beans for Barcelona after finding all sorts of space inside the box. Messi has a wonderful chance seconds later, but his strike is saved by Adan. Betis all at sea here!
Betis need to be very, very careful that they do not take a hiding in this game, which would not do their confidence any favours at all. There is still a lot of football to be played in this match.
The referee needs to be careful that this does not turn nasty as Cejudo takes exception to a challenge from Neymar, which was a little bit late. Barcelona still have two permitted changes remaining and it would not be a surprise to see Luis Enrique look to rest some players here.
Neymar once again finds space on the left for Barcelona and looks to bend one into the bottom corner, but Molinero is across to make a fine block. The hosts are preparing another change...
... BARCELONA SUB! Adriano replaces Mathieu.
BOOKING! Pezzella (Betis) is booked for handball outside the box.
Messi stands over the free kick...
... CROSSBAR! Adan pushes Messi's stunning set piece onto the crossbar!
Betis force a free kick of their own in a dangerous position, but Vargas strikes straight into the wall after the ball had been played short. Bit of a waste from the visitors and Barcelona break.
CROSSBAR! Barcelona hit the woodwork for the third time in this match as Alves's delicate chip towards the far post hits the crossbar before being cleared. Lovely little effort there!
SAVE! Neymar plays a lovely pass into Suarez, who advances through on goal, but Adan is quickly off his line to make a really smart save. Adan has kept Betis competitive in this second period!
Barcelona have yet another free kick just outside the box...
... CROSSBAR! Messi again hits the crossbar from a free kick!
BETIS SUB! Castro is replaced by Van der Vaart.
Neymar once again dances into the Betis box before attempting to release a strike on goal, but Molinero manages to catch the ball and the Brazilian is stopped, for now!
BOOKING! Alves (Barcelona) is booked for a late challenge on Cejudo.
Van Wolfswinkel flashes a low strike wide of the post as Betis have a half-chance to register. I would be surprised if there was not at least one more goal in the final 10 minutes or so here.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Pezzella to register for Betis as the centre-back meets a near-post header from Van Wolfswinkel, but he blazes over the crossbar from close range!
Just a reminder that Barcelona are heading back to the top of the table this evening, while the Catalan outfit also still have one game in hand over both Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid. It is shaping up to be another fascinating title race, but you have to fancy Barcelona once again.
GOAL! Barcelona 4-0 Betis (Suarez)
Suarez has his second of the match and Barcelona have their fourth. It is another wonderful goal from the home side as Suarez combines with Neymar before finishing from close range.
Half-chance for Betis this time as Van der Vaart finds a yard of space outside the box, but his effort was always sailing over the crossbar. Little under five minutes of football remaining here.
BARCELONA SUB! Munir replaces Roberto for the home team.
Just a reminder that Barcelona will have both Arda Turan and Aleix Vidal available from next month. Another two players to come in to this wonderful squad. Turan will wear the number seven.
Bravo gets down to deny Cejudo as Betis enjoy another spell in the Barcelona half.
Bravo stoops to collect a whipped Van der Vaart free kick as we head for stoppage time.
Two added minutes to be played here.
Barcelona continue to pass and probe in the final moments. It has been a very difficult game for Betis, who have been unable to contain the wonderful trio that is Messi, Suarez and Neymar.
HALF-TIME: Barcelona 4-0 Betis
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Barcelona running out 4-0 winners on home soil. The result has seen the Catalan side regain first spot in the table ahead of both Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Until next time!
