Messi returns as Barca lose 7-goal thriller in first home league defeat in 2yrs

On Lionel Messi’s return from injury, Barcelona lost a home league match for the first time in two years as the Spanish champions were beaten 3-4 by Real Betis.

The Argentine scored a penalty early in the second half after Junior Firpo and veteran Joaquin got the hosts trailing by two goals before the break.

A Marc-Andre ter Stegen error then saw Giovani lo Celso add a third for Betis, before Arturo Vidal’s tap-in gave Barca hope.

Ivan Rakitic got sent off for a second yellow card with eight minutes left, and the visitors scored a fourth through Sergio Canales, before a Messi consolation in injury time.

Ernesto Valverde’s side remain at the top of La Liga, one point ahead of Atletico Madrid and Alaves.

Read Also: Moses missing as Chelsea extend unbeaten run with stalemate against Everton

Barca’s previous home league defeat came on 10 September 2016, when they lost 2-1 to Alaves.

Betis had lost on their past eight visits to the Nou Camp and had not won there for more than 20 years.

But they came away with three points that lifts them up to 12th in the La Liga table.

 

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