MADRID, Nov. 11-- FC Barcelona go into the international break as leaders of the Liga Santander despite suffering a shock 4-3 defeat at home to Betis on Sunday afternoon. Although Leo Messi returning from injury with two goals, Barca never got to grips with Betis' attacking instincts and pace on the break. Junior Firpo and Joaquin Sanchez put Betis 2-0 ahead before halftime and although Messi's penalty got Barca right back into the game in the second half, a rare error from Ter Stegen gifted Betis a third goal. Arturo Vidal got Barca back into the game, but Ernesto Valverde's side were reduced to 10 men immediately afterwards when Ivan Rakitic was sent off and Sergio Canales reestablished Betis' two-goal lead, before Messi netted his second of the game in injury time. Sevilla move into second place after coming back from a goal down to beat Espanyol 2-1. Borja Iglesias' seventh goal of the season put Espanyol in front and it looked as if they could end the weekend above their city neighbors Barca. However, a late Sevilla fightback saw Gabriel Mercado equalize in the 70th minute before Wissan ben Yedder assured the points stayed in the Sanchez Pizjuan with a last minute winning goal. Real Madrid won 4-2 away to Celta Vigo to give Santiago Solari his fourth win from four games and to lift them to within just 4 points of Barca. Karim Benzema opened the scoring before an own goal doubled Madrid's lead and although Hugo Mallo gave Celta hope, Sergio Ramos sealed the win from the penalty spot after a foul on Alvaro Odriozola. |