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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
1Barcelona13110240122833
2Real Madrid1283125111427
3Atletico MadridAtletico137511971226
4Villarreal127322319424
5Osasuna136341720-321
6Athletic Bilbao135531913620
7Real BetisBetis135531412220
8Real Sociedad135351110118
9Mallorca135351010018
10GironaGirona135351617-118
11Celta Vigo135262022-217
12Rayo Vallecano124441313016
13Sevilla134361218-615
14Leganes133551316-314
15AlavesAlaves134181422-813
16Las PalmasLas Palmas133371622-612
17Getafe13175811-310
18Espanyol123181122-1110
19Real ValladolidValladolid132381025-159
20Valencia11146817-97


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