Normal service resumed at Barcelona as they got their La Liga campaign up and running with a thumping 6-2 win against Real Betis. Luis Suarez continued from where he left off last season – when he finished as the league's top scorer – netting a hat-trick. Talisman Lionel Messi was also on target, grabbing two goals.
It was Turkish winger Arda Turan who put Barca ahead with a strike as early as the sixth minute of the game, following up on his good work in the Spanish Super Cup. Messi split the Betis defence to find the overlapping full-back, Jordi Alba, who cut it back for Turan to score from a close range.
Camp Nou was silenced as Ruben Castro made it 1-1 in 21st minute, smashing a venomous free-kick past the despairing dive of Barca keeper Claudio Bravo. But the home side were relentless with their attacks and almost went back into the lead with Messi smashing it against the bar. The Argentinian would have to wait only for a couple more minutes to open his account for the season, however, latching on to Denis Suarez's pass before unleashing a powerful shot into the corner of the net.
Barca went into half-time with a two-goal cushion as a defence-splitting pass from Messi found Sergio Roberto, who in turn located Luis Suarez. The Uruguayan made no mistake with his effort.
The Blaugrana put the contest to bed in the second half as Betis found it difficult to stem the incisiveness and cutting edge of Suarez and Messi in front of goal. Suarez had to make the simplest of finishes to grab his second with Messi turning provider.
Just a minute later, Messi got his second with a clean strike with his stronger left foot. Suarez completed his hat-trick with a free kick from 25 yards out, eight minutes from time. There was still time for one more goal in the game as Castro got his second.
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