Messi & Suarez star in Barca rout

Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez proved unstoppable as the pair fired Barcelona to a 5-0 victory over Real Betis in La Liga on Sunday.

Messi and Suarez helped themselves to a brace each in yet another record-breaking evening for the pair, with Barca extending their lead at the top of La Liga to 11 points, although they lost Thomas Vermaelen to a suspected injury.

Samuel Umtiti returned after two months out with a hamstring injury, and the defender was joined on the Catalans' bench by Gerard Deulofeu, who came in from the wilderness.

Betis hadn't beaten Barca at home in almost 10 years but did hold the leaders to a 1-1 draw this time last year, which was marred by a 'ghost goal'.

They continued in that vein for the opening 45 minutes limiting Barca to half-chances and showing a willingness to go toe-to-toe with the Blaugrana.

The League leaders eventually broke the deadlock on the hour mark, but it was worth the wait as Ivan Rakitic's slotted finish broke their seal.

Indeed, four more goals followed, starting with Sergio Busquets winning the ball high up the field and teeing up Messi for an explosive finish.

Rakitic then returned the favour for Suarez, his pinpoint cross being volleyed home by the Uruguayan first time.

The final 10 minutes was effectively one extended one-two between Messi and Suarez as the No 10 took down his striker partner's diagonal ball and picked his spot past Antonio Adan.

The roles were soon reversed, and with merely seconds left of normal time, Messi laid off his fellow South American for a shot into the roof of Adan's net.

However, the evening was spoiled somewhat by Vermaelen hobbling off with an apparent hamstring injury, which had previously tainted his career at Camp Nou.

Real Betis 0-5 Barcelona

Rakitic 59, Messi 64, 80, Suarez 69, 89

Real Betis: Adan; Francis, Mandi, Feddal, Durmisi; Javi Garcia (Boudebouz 77), Fabian (Camarasa 88), Guardado; Joaquin, Sergio Leon (Ruben Castro 73), Tello

Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Semedo, Pique, Vermaelen (Umtiti 43), Alba; Rakitic, Busquets (Deulofeu 81), Sergi Roberto; Gomes (Paulinho 65); Messi, Suarez

Referee: Jaime Latre

Tags Lionel Messi Luis Suarez
La Liga - Club News