Before the match, Real Betis’s manager had to apologise for his admiration for Barça. After beating them, Barcelona’s players spoke of their admiration for him
In the final moments before the first half began on Sunday afternoon, Real Betis’s manager, Quique Setién, approached Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets and asked him for his shirt. He wanted to frame it, he said. Busquets nodded and smiled, so Setién thanked him and headed out towards the bench at the Camp Nou. As he went, he also had a word with Lionel Messi, whose shirt already hangs on his wall, alongside that of Luka Modric. Messi was returning to action after three weeks out with a broken arm, today of all days, and Setién sidled up to him, greeting him fondly.
“I’d have waited a bit longer, not taken any risks,” he grinned. “I couldn’t,” Messi replied; sitting out was driving him up the wall and he was desperate to play.
Related: Despite the superlatives, hype and awards, Lionel Messi is underrated | Sean Ingle
| GOAL! |
Real Betis are 2-0 up at the Camp Nou!
37-year-old Joaquin, hadn't scored against Barcelona since the 04/05 season, he's just ended that dry spell! pic.twitter.com/7cO6xIe8QU
| GOAL! |
LATE DRAMA. The linesman ruled it out, but VAR has given it!
Barcelona score a wonderful team goal! pic.twitter.com/av3q6Rsx8g
| GOAL! |
IT'S FOUR FOR REAL BETIS.
Sergi Canales makes it 4-2 at the Camp Nou. pic.twitter.com/f13Zv1c3qd
Related: Sublime Klassiker suggests there's finally life in the Bundesliga again | Andy Brassell
| GOAL! |
Touch, turn, finish.
Karim Benzema, that was beautiful - he's put Real Madrid in front. pic.twitter.com/EQT0exqG1e
Celta Vigo 2-4 Real Madrid, Rayo Vallecano 2-2 Villarreal, Sevilla 2-1 Espanyol, Barcelona 3-4 Real Betis, Alavés 2-1 Huesca, Girona 0-0 Leganés, Atlético 3-2 Athletic Bilbao, Getafe 0-1 Valencia, Valladolid 0-0 Eibar, Levante 1-3 Real Sociedad
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