Lionel Messi marked his 500th Barcelona appearance with his 425th goal as the Catalan giants beat Real Betis 4-0 at Camp Nou on Wednesday.
Messi found the back of the net for the sixth time in the league this season just after the half-hour with a simple tap-in from Neymar’s assist, his 292nd Liga strike.
Betis’ day began to unravel with 27 minutes on the clock as goalkeeper Adan was harshly punished as he collided with Messi while making a clearance. Neymar missed the subsequent penalty but Heiko Westermann conceded an own goal as he tried to get the rebound away.
Messi then doubled the lead, and Luis Enrique’s side further extended their advantage 55 seconds after the restart as Luis Suarez converted Sergio Busquets’ pass, the Uruguayan firing home Barca’s 179th goal of the calendar year – eclipsing the Spanish record set in 2014 by Real Madrid.
Messi twice went close to doubling his tally with late free-kicks, only for the impressive Adan and his crossbar to repel his advances, before Suarez rounded off the scoring with his second seven minutes from time.
Victory ensures Barcelona finish 2015 top of the Liga table; while Betis – who saw coach Pepe Mel sent off for protesting against the penalty decision – reflect on a fourth league game without a win as they remain in the bottom half.
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