Madrid (AFP)
FC Barcelona, with a decisive entry into play from its superstar Lionel Messi in the second half, won 3 to 2 on the field of Betis Sevilla, Sunday during the 22nd day of the Spanish Championship, and thus retains the 2nd ranking place.
Ronald Koeman's team, however, remain seven lengths behind the leader, Atlético, who will host Celta Vigo on Monday at the end of the day.
Real Madrid, winner Saturday in Huesca (2-1) is tied for third with Barça, one point ahead of Sevilla FC who dominated Getafe at home (3-0), also on Saturday.
Barca started the meeting without Messi, Frenkie De Jong and Pedri, left to rest by Koeman after the grueling Copa del Rey quarter-final won 5-3 after extra time in Granada on Wednesday.
On the other hand, the three Frenchmen Antoine Griezmann, Ousmane Dembélé and Clément Lenglet were well established among the Blaugranas.
Dominating in the first part of the game, Betis opened the scoring in the 38th minute, through center forward Borja Iglesias, receiving a cross from Emerson on the right in front of Marc-Andre ter Stegen's goal .
But in the second half the entry into play of Messi in the 57th minute changed everything, the Argentinian prodigy equalizing only two minutes later with a shot at the post (59th).
His 13th league goal this season, a unit behind his former teammate today at Atlético, Luis Suarez.
Nine minutes later, the Catalans took the advantage on a goal against his camp of Victor Ruiz (68): after a magnificent one-two between Jordi Alba and Messi, the former crossed in front of the goal, and while Antoine Griezmann , very discreet Sunday, completely missed his recovery, the ball bounced off Ruiz's shin and ended up in the net.
- Trincao opens its counter -
But the former Villarreal defender redeemed himself in the most beautiful way in the 75th minute by equalizing with a header on a free kick shot by Nabil Fékir, author of a very good match.
A free kick also whistled for a fault by Busquets on the former Lyonnais.
However, Barça managed to snatch the three points of victory on a splendid goal from the young (21) striker Trincao, who came into play in the 57th, with a curled shot from the left in the top corner (87th).
The Portuguese hope's first goal in La Liga this season.
Lionel Messi and his family are now eleven matches without defeat, including nine wins, six in a row!
Betis for their part, who were undefeated in La Liga since December 29 (loss 4-3 to Levante) suffer a second setback after their elimination at home on penalties in the quarter-final of the Spanish Cup against Athletic Bilbao, Thursday.
With 30 points Manuel Pellegrini's team remains clinging to seventh place, five points behind Real Sociedad who easily won on their home ground at the expense of Cadiz (4-1) at the start of the afternoon.
In the two other matches of the day, Athletic Bilbao (10th) and Valencia (12th) could not decide (1-1), while Osasuna (15th), at home, beat Eibar (17th) 2- 1.
© 2021 AFP