Messi inspires Barcelona to win over Betis

The win gives Tito Vilanova’s men an almost unassailable lead of eleven points with only twelve left to play for, but, until the introduction of Messi, there was real chance that they could have lost the match.

Betis took an early lead through Dorlan Pabon but Alexis Sanchez levelled things up soon after and the hosts then went on to dominate the half but failed to score the goal that their dominance deserved.

Rubén Pérez punished their profligacy with a strike just before the interval to ensure that Betis took a lead to half-time.

David Villa, who missed a host of first-half chances, levelled things up on 56 minutes but was immediately substituted for Messi, who only took four minutes to whip a free-kick past Adrián to give the hosts the lead for the first time.

Messi then finished off a great move on 71 minutes to make it four and ensure all three points.