There will be just two minutes added on at the end of this match.
88'
M. ter Stegen enters the game and replaces C. Bravo.
Claudio Bravo signals over to the touchline as he appears to be struggling from a knock just recently picked up - though it's not entirely clear where - and he will be replaced as a precaution for the final few minutes by Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
86'
A. Turan enters the game and replaces I. Rakitić.
Barcelona are closing up shop, keen to run time off the clock as Arda Turan comes on in place of Ivan Rakitic.
85'
Sometimes you have to win ugly, and it looks like that's what Barcelona will have achieved tonight. It's not always about how you get the result, but simply obtaining it in the end. It was far from pretty for the majority of the evening, but Barca make the most of the hand they were dealt as they look poised to return to the top of the table.
83'
STAT: Luis Enrique has won each of his three La Liga games as a manager against Betis.
81'
L. Suárez has scored a goal for Barcelona! Assist by L. Messi.
AND THAT SHOULD DO IT! Betis squander a chance at one end and Barcelona make them pay with a delightful move on the break. Messi picks out an absolute peach of a throughball for Suarez who makes no mistake this time, finally negotiating the beating of Adan to put this game to bed.
Well his first assist may have been lucky, but there's nothing fortunate about this one from Messi who carved apart the defence with a perfectly weighted ball to play Suarez through.
79'
R. van Wolfswinkel enters the game and replaces Rubén Castro.
Ruben Castro receives a warm applause for the hard work he's put in tonight, set to be replaced by Ricky van Wolfswinkel in the final Betis change.
77'
OUTSTANDING FROM ADAN! Messi is played into space in the left channel, and he threads a pass through two defenders to set-up Suarez. The striker has the goal at his mercy from less than 10 yards out, but Adan is quick off his line and spreads out his legs to make a remarkable save!
75'
CLEVER ATTEMPT! The attacking trio for Barcelona nearly link-up for what would have been a spectacular goal! Messi floats a delicious ball over the top for Neymar, who heads across for Suarez, but Adan plucks the ball out of the air to deny the opportunity!
Minute
Description
74'
Sergi Roberto enters the game and replaces Dani Alves.
Barcelona make their first change of the evening as Sergi Roberto comes on to replace Dani Alves.
73'
Tired legs are surely starting to become an issue as Barcelona finally impose themselves in the final third. The visitors are firmly parked deep in the Betis end in search of the goal that would undoubtedly put this game to bed.
71'
STAT: Betis are the side with the most points won with goals scored in the last 10 minutes of their games in La Liga this season (8, alongside Malaga and Villarreal), while Barcelona are the only yet to have won in that period.
69'
Portillo enters the game and replaces Dani Ceballos.
Betis make their second change as Dani is replaced by Portillo.
67'
Dani Ceballos gets yellow.
TOO COMPLICATED! Much better from Barcelona in the build-up, but as they break into the area their decision making lets them down. Messi spots Suarez at the far post, who opts not to shoot and play a return pass to the Argentine which is read well and cut out by Montoya.
Dani finally picks up a booking, this for an accumulation of fouls more than likely.
65'
Musonda has provided a nice spark off the bench, showing great pace on the break and giving the visitors something to think about in defence. Despite their stout showing in defence, they've been unable to negotiate much of an opening at the other end outside of the first few minutes.
63'
Despite Betis being down a man, Barcelona are struggling to find any rhythm in attack. They're completely disjointed at the moment, though it has been a common theme throughout, and the one-goal lead won't inspire much comfort amongst the ranks.
61'
STAT: Barcelona have scored 14 goals in their last two league games, without conceding in either.
59'
Pique has a problem again! It's his other leg this time that Dani catches, with a dangerous stomp on the Achilles. Somehow the winger escapes a booking, though perhaps it shouldn't be so surprising as the only consistent thing about this referee has been his inconsistency.
57'
VITAL BLOCK! Unconvincing from Betis as they fail to clear their lines, gifting the ball to Messi inside the area. The Argentine spots an opening in the bottom corner, but his subsequent strike is turned smartly over by Montoya. Important piece of defending there from the ex-Barcelona defender.
55'
C. Musonda enters the game and replaces Joaquín.
The hosts make their first change, as Joaquin is replaced by Charly Musonda.
54'
Betis respond well to falling behind and they've defended the latest threat before regaining possession and looking straight away to get back into attack. Busquets slides into a late challenge on Cejudo, and while the foul is given, the Betis players are in disbelief over the referee's decision to keep his cards in his pocket.
52'
STAT: At the Villamarin, Betis have not won any of their last four games against Barcelona in La Liga (D2 L2), but they have scored at least once in each of the last 12.
50'
I. Rakitić has scored a goal for Barcelona! Assist by L. Messi.
Messi picks up one of the more fortunate assists he'll get all season.
BARCELONA BACK ON TOP! Ahead in the match and on top of the table! It's a terrible goal for the hosts to concede after how well they have defended thus far. Messi's seemingly harmless cross is floated into the area, but Pezzella gets his clearing attempt all wrong as he completely misses the ball, before Adan fails to deal with it himself, allowing it to drop kindly for Rakitic who taps it into the empty net.
48'
HE'S MISSED IT! That's an excellent run off the ball from Suarez, and an even better pick out by Neymar to play him through on goal. The striker poke's a first-time effort towards the near post, but gets it all wrong as he fails to hit the target!
46'
Back underway at the Benito Villamarin!
45' +1
Dani Alves gets yellow.
Dani reacts rather theatrically as Dani Alves makes a run on the overlap and gets his arm up high. There didn't appear to be much, if any, contact, but the referee buys the reaction and shows the right-back a yellow card - the seventh booking of this first half.
45'
Despite a wealth of stoppages, there will be just one minute added on at the end of this first half.
43'
Betis are doing well to ride out this wave with half-time approaching. They face a daunting task to hold out the high-scoring visitors with just 10 men, but they haven't missed a beat since Westermann's dismissal. Surely Merino will make a change at the break to restore four at the back.
41'
Great read! Messi chips a delightful ball over the top to send Suarez through, but Adan is off his line in a hurry to clear the threat. That was an acrobatic intervention from the keeper who needed to be brave there... although a late offside flag takes away from it about, though the keeper knew little about it.
39'
STAT: Juan Merino’s side have suffered just one defeat in their last eight home games (W4, D3), 1-0 against Malaga.
37'
The referee has set a dangerous precedent, and he's being barked at with every challenge now to produce a booking. Ruben Castro is hacked down by Mascherano as he looked to hold the ball up, but this time no card is produced. There's a shocking lack of consistency being shown here by Antonio Mateu.
35'
H. Westermann gets a second yellow card and is sent off.
WESTERMANN SENT PACKING! The defender needlessly slides in late to the feet of Rakitic, with no danger in the move whatsoever, and he's issued a second yellow! The German has completely lost the plot! What in the world was he thinking?!
34'
Petros gets yellow.
Neymar makes the most of the slightest contact from Petros, and he wins the decision as the midfielder is issued a yellow card.
MERINO ISSUED A WARNING! The Betis boss can't believe the decision to award Neymar the free-kick and buries his head in his hands, before making a comment to the referee, who says one more word and you're off! It's a shocking reaction from the referee.
32'
Much of the same from Barcelona still, as they're being held to the periphery with Betis doing well to congest the centre of the park. Suarez has hardly had a touch of the ball, but Betis will need to keep their focus because he's the type of striker who only needs one chance to punish his opponents.
30'
STAT: Barcelona are the team in the Top five European Leagues with the most games having been awarded at least two penalties this season (three games).
28'
H. Westermann gets yellow.
Westermann is booked for a foul on Rakitic, the fourth yellow card shown in the last seven minutes.
27'
Possession is back with the visitors after a lengthy spell where they struggled to hold onto the ball, let alone create. Betis are staying so well organised in defence, but Barcelona are surely used to this by now. They have to keep their heads and find a way to break them down.
25'
Barcelona don't look themselves this evening. It has been far from an inspiring showing from the hopeful league leaders through the first 25 minutes, as they've struggled to recapture the form that saw them win their last two league matches by a combined 14-0.
23'
Piqué gets yellow.
L. Messi gets yellow.
Pique returns the favour! The centre-half shows great athleticism as he lifts his leg well over his head in an attempt to clear, but he catches Cejudo in the back and picks up a yellow card as a result.
I'm not sure what Messi thought he was arguing there, but it was a clear foul on Pique. Nonetheless, the Argentine has some choice words for the official and is booked for dissent.
21'
Bruno gets yellow.
Neymar is starting to come to life on the flank! The Brazilian leaves Petros in his dust before poking the ball beyond Bruno. He looks to continue his run, but the full-back cynically blocks his passage and will pick up a yellow card as a result.
20'
Sliced wide! That was the first opening Barcelona have been able to negotiate this evening, with Neymar the architect courtesy of some trickery on the left. The winger squares for Iniesta atop the area, but the midfielder's first-time effort is well wide of the far post.
18'
STAT: Betis have gone nine league games against Barcelona without a win (D2 L7), losing the last five.
16'
Betis are back on the front foot and they pass the ball around cleverly near the corner flag. Cejudo goes down in a heap following a challenge from Mascherano, but the referee says play on despite a number of cries from the home supporters for a free-kick on the edge of the area.
14'
OUCH! This looks a worrying one for Pique who is down and in need of attention from the trainers as he has his shin stomped on by Dani near the touchline. It was very much an innocent challenge from the Betis winger, who was sure to apologise despite a few protests from Pique's team-mates.
12'
Barcelona are lacking any cohesion in the attacking half. It has been very pedestrian from them in possession, with an uncharacteristic amount of stray passes awarding the ball back to the hosts - though that shouldn't take away from the diligent defensive work being put in here by Betis.
10'
The excellent start from Juan Merino's side continues here as they've managed to completely suffocate Barcelona and thwart their attempts to enter attack. The likes of Neymar, Messi and Suarez have yet to get involved in this match.
8'
STAT: By avoiding defeat against Barcelona, Betis would officially secure their league status for next season.
6'
The ensuing delivery is met by a Betis head amongst a mess of bodies, and sent towards goal, but Bravo is on hand to tip it over the bar! Great early pressure being applied here by the hosts!
5'
EXCELLENT CHANCE! Betis break in numbers as Barcelona give the ball away cheaply high up the pitch. Ruben Castro sprints forward and lays off for Joaquin, who gives it right back to the striker. He over-runs the ball, but is able to recover and get a shot off, which Mascherano bravely blocks over the bar!
3'
It has been a spirited start to the contest from both sides. Barcelona are keen to get on the front foot early and often, with Betis closing their gaps well in midfield to frustrate the visitors' attempts to break into the final third. Possession is being dominated by the Blaugrana, but that's hardly much of a surprise.
1'
Barcelona get the game underway!
Hello and welcome to live coverage from the Benito Villamarin in Seville as Real Betis play host to a Barcelona side looking to return to the La Liga summit. Victories for the two Madrid clubs earlier today mean the Blaugrana enter the match in third place, with the opportunity to take back top spot with three points of their own this evening. Luis Enrique’s side, despite their early-April skid, control their own destiny in La Liga and would win the title with nine points from nine in their final three contests against Betis, Espanyol and Granada.
Betis’ La Liga status is assured for next season, so with relegation no longer a worry, the Andalusian club can turn to playing spoiler. The Verdiblancos can play an important role at both ends of the table over their final three games, with matches still remaining against title-chasing Barcelona and relegation-fighting Getafe. That being said, Juan Merino’s side sit in 13th place currently, but are just two points back of the top 10, so there are other sources of motivation for them as the season winds to a close.
SUBS: Gimenez, Kadir, Varela, Musonda, Van Wolfswinkel, Xavi Torres, Portillo.
Just one change for Luis Enrique's side as Dani Alves, who came on for the entirety of the second half against Sporting, is restored in the starting line-up at the expense of Sergi Roberto who is dropped to the bench. Luis Suarez looks to continue his torrid form as he leads the line, flanked by Lionel Messi and Neymar as per usual, with Ivan Rakitic, Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta remaining the preferred trio in midfield.
Juan Merino makes just one change to his side as well from the 2-0 derby defeat to Sevilla, with Alvaro Cejudo coming into attack at the expense of Charly Musonda. Juan Manuel Vargas and Didier Digard both failed late fitness tests and are unavailable tonight as a result.
HALF-TIME: BETIS 0-0 BARCELONA. The referee takes centre stage in the first half with his over-eagerness to go to his pocket, overshadowing a spirited effort from the Verdiblancos in the first half as they hold the Blaugrana at bay. Barcelona have yet to test Adan, rather shockingly, but that figures to change over the course of the second half with Betis down to 10 men following Heiko Westermann's sending off.
Luis Enrique's side return to the top of the table as a pair of second-half goals from Ivan Rakitic and Luis Suarez see them past the 10 men of Betis, with Heiko Westermann seeing red in the first half. It was a spirited effort from the stubborn hosts, who made life very difficult on their opponents, but in the end Barcelona's quality shines through as they avoid what would have been a pair of costly dropped points.
That's all for our live coverage from Seville, thanks for following along. Goodbye!
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