Lionel Messi Produces Sublime Dummy During Second Half Masterclass For Barcelona Vs Real Betis

Lionel Messi had a huge impact off the bench for Barcelona vs Real Betis and a dummy to set up struggling teammate Antoine Griezmann was the standout moment.

Rumours suggested the Argentine had an ankle problem and wasn't fit enough to start the game on Saturday afternoon.

With the scores 1-1 at half-time, Ronald Koeman opted to bring Messi on and within four minutes he had left his mark.

Jordi Alba's drilled a cross into the box which Messi delightfully stepped over for Griezmann to smash home and give his side the lead.

Messi then got on the scoresheet from the penalty spot to make it 3-1 to the Blaugrana.

The 33-year-old had scored all of his goals from the spot so far this season, before he took aim in the 82nd minute.

A slick backheel from Sergi Roberto found Messi who fired into the roof of the net past Claudio Bravo to get his second of the game.

Fans have reacted to Messi's performance and they think it's his best of the season so far.

It's Barcelona's first win in four La Liga games and they move to eighth in the table, one point behind today's opponents.

While Messi's prolonged transfer saga in the summer made fans worry he wouldn't have the same passion for Barcelona, today's performance shows the six-time Ballon d'Or winner is still up for the challenge.

Do you think Barcelona can challenge for La Liga this season?

Let us know in the comments.

Topics: Football News, Football, Barcelona, Goals, Lionel Messi, Antoine Griezmann, La Liga

Daniel Marland

Daniel is a journalist for SPORTbible and he has previous experience with Manchester United. He has spoken to some of the biggest names in sport including Rio Ferdinand, Peter Crouch, WWE COO Triple H and WWE legend The Undertaker. May or may not do a decent impression of Jamie Carragher.

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