Barcelona vs. Real Betis: Goals and Highlights from 2016/17 La Liga Game

Barcelona began the defence of their La Liga title at home to Real Betis on Saturday.

The reigning champions didn't take long to get off the mark, as Arda Turan put them ahead from close range after just six minutes:

"

قوووووووووول الشيخ اردا pic.twitter.com/kP1iYgxf46

— المدرج البرشلوني (@vldeoalbarca) August 20, 2016"

The visitors hit back on 21 minutes when Ruben Castro brought the scores level with a well-struck free-kick:

"

SPAIN | Free kick GOAL!! Ruben Castro (BET) scores 1-1 21'. FC Barcelona 1-1 Betis https://t.co/4pAZdnNbV6 pic.twitter.com/kPy6ARP6he

— AV Highlights (@ArenaVisionHD) August 20, 2016"

But the equilibrium didn't last for long, as Lionel Messi restored Barca's lead with a brilliant trademark strike from the edge of the box:

"

Messi'nin Barcelona'yı Real Betis karşısında skoru 2-1'e getiren golü pic.twitter.com/sXSfRhICwR

— Spor Vadisi (@sporvadisi) August 20, 2016"

Barcelona extended their lead to 3-1 before half-time thanks to Luis Suarez, last season's European Golden Shoe winner, putting daylight between the sides with a clinical first-time finish:

"

Luis Suarez comme d'hab' ajoute le sien !! #FCBBetis 3-1 (41') pic.twitter.com/qeUXlVJBET

— Yeahlome Fr (@FrYeahlome) August 20, 2016"

The second half was only 10 minutes old when Messi danced towards the Betis penalty area and beat the goalkeeper with a low drive.

"

Golazo de Leo Messi, gol del mejor jugador del mundo 🔥🔥🔵🔴 Barça 5-1 Betis 👌 #FCB pic.twitter.com/UmddOMODyf

— Gràcies Cruyff (@SrtoPique3) August 20, 2016"

Before the Argentinian set up Suarez for his second of the game.

"

Otro gol de Luis Suárez. Barcelona le gana 5-1 a Betis con dos del #URU, dos de Lio Messi #ARG y uno de Turan #TUR https://t.co/LWmxYWPOev

— Pordeciralgo (@Pordeciralgoweb) August 20, 2016"

Suarez then completed his hat-trick on 82 minutes with a perfectly executed free-kick.

"

@FCBsphera 6 - 1 @Betisphera Luis Suarez @SpheraSports pic.twitter.com/wU3RwnUa7I

— ᙟouᘜᖘ (@bougp) August 20, 2016"

Betis got one back late on through Castro's second of the game.

"

@FCBsphera 6 - 2 @Betisphera Ruben Castro @SpheraSports ¿Ya? Si , FINAL! pic.twitter.com/ovOAfQ12Cs

— ᙟouᘜᖘ (@bougp) August 20, 2016"

But Barcelona held on to claim a big opening win.

[Twitter]