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Real Betis logo
La Liga
Dec 9, 2012 at 8pm UK
 
Barcelona logo

1-2

Castro (39')
FT(HT: 1-2)
Messi (16', 25')

Lionel Messi breaks goal record to give Barcelona victory

Record-breaking Lionel Messi scores twice to earn Barcelona a narrow 2-1 victory at Real Betis in La Liga.

Record-breaking Lionel Messi has scored twice to give Barcelona a narrow 2-1 victory at Real Betis in tonight's La Liga encounter.

The Argentine has now hit the net 86 times for club and country in the past 12 months, overtaking Gerd Muller's previous tally of 85.

Lionel Messi celebrates with teammates after scoring his first against Betis on December 9, 2012© AP Photos

Messi's first of the night came after 16 minutes as he drove into the penalty area before firing low past Adrian.

The 25-year-old then surpassed Muller when he fired in following Andres Iniesta's clever assist.

However, Ruben Castro was allowed to advance before converting past Victor Valdes on 39 minutes to give Betis a lifeline going into the second half.

The home side nearly drew themselves level before the hour in bizarre circumstances, but Valdes was able to make amends after he dropped the ball under his own crossbar.

Betis then hit the woodwork twice as Benat and Alejandro Pozuelo were both denied by the frame of the goal.

Barca struck the crossbar in the final minutes through Jordi Alba as they were able to hang on for the three points.

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Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring against Zaragoza on November 17, 2012
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CReal Madrid38298187266195
2Barcelona38267579443585
3GironaGirona38256785463981
4Atletico MadridAtletico382441070432776
5Athletic Bilbao381911861372468
6Real Sociedad3816121051391260
7Real BetisBetis38141594845357
8Villarreal381411136565053
9Valencia381310154045-549
10AlavesAlaves381210163646-1046
11Osasuna38129174556-1145
12Getafe381013154254-1243
13Celta Vigo381011174657-1141
14Sevilla381011174854-641
15Mallorca38816143344-1140
16Las PalmasLas Palmas381010183347-1440
17Rayo Vallecano38814162948-1938
RCadizCadiz38615172655-2933
RAlmeria38312234375-3221
RGranada3849253879-4121


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