Betis shock Barca, Real boost Solari hopes
BARCELONA: Barcelona lost at home in La Liga for the first time in more than two years as Real Betis pulled off a stunning 4-3 victory on Sunday, despite Lionel Messi scoring twice on his return from injury.
Barca last endured a league defeat at the Camp Nou against Alaves in September 2016 but, following 42 games unbeaten, their run was ended by a brilliant, counterattacking display from Betis.
Betis led 2-0 at half-time thanks to opening goals by Junior Firpo and Joaquin Sanchez. Giovani Lo Celso and substitute Sergio Canales then scored in the second half.
Three hours later, Real Madrid were putting the finishing touches to a 4-2 win away at Celta Vigo, a result expected to earn Santiago Solari an extension to his tenure as coach.
Real have now posted four consecutive victories since Solari was put in temporary charge while the gap behind Barca has been reduced to four points.
“He has done excellently,” Madrid club director Emilio Butragueno said afterwards. “We are very happy with how things have gone.”
On his future, Solari said: “We’ll see. I don’t usually plan too far ahead but in principle, it’s my day off tomorrow.”
Barca’s shock defeat came despite a return for Messi, whose two goals, one from the penalty spot and another deep into injury-time, proved little more than consolations.
“We don’t leave with the feeling Betis were the better team,” coach Ernesto Valverde said. “I don’t want to take any credit away from our opponent but we could have countered them better.”
It was the first time ever that Messi scored twice and Barcelona lost, but they stay top of the table, although three clubs now lurk just one point behind.
“Top of the table is fine, I won’t deny it,” Valverde said. “It should also help us to realise it is never easy to win.”