Suarez and hat-trick king Messi sink Betis as Barcelona edge closer to La Liga title

FRESHLY-SHAVED Lionel Messi bagged a hat-trick to help Barcelona beat Betis 4-1 and extend their La Liga lead over Atletico Madrid.

The Argentine reminded again how fantastic a free-kick taker he is and then completed his treble with a marvellous dink over helpless Pau Lopez - with Luis Suarez bagging one for himself before coming off injured.

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Perhaps because he is superstitious, or he just needed a change in his demeanour, but Messi, 31, ditched his characteristic beard and then went on to inspiring Barcelona to a convincing win over Betis.

The Catalans seized on Atletico Madrid's stumble this weekend, who lost 2-0 to Athletic Bilbao, and are now ten points clear at the top of the La Liga table.

Messi's superb form continues as just on Wednesday he orchestrated Barcelona's march through to the Champions League quarter-finals with a couple of goals and assist against Lyon at Nou Camp.

The Argentine curled the ball in 17 minutes into the game, fantastically taking a free-kick just outside Lopez's penalty box.

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And he doubled Barcelona's lead only seconds before the break after Betis defenders left him unmarked, with the Argentine mercilessly sending the ball past Lopez.

It was a massive blow to Quique Setien's men as the hosts created many chances in the first half, but still failed to beat Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

Suarez put the game to bed in the second half as he got on the scoresheet following a stunning solo ride, spectacularly swerving past troubled Betis defenders.

Loren Moron pulled one back, smashing it into Ter Stegen's bottom corner from the edge of the box, although it felt like just a consolation goal.

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But Messi was not done just yet as he fantastically lobbed it over the helpless Lopez, with the ball smooching the post to make the effort look yet more outrageous.

Even home fans appreciated the beauty of the goal and gave the Argentine maestro a standing ovation.

However, the result can prove to be a Pyrrhic victory as Barcelona lost Suarez in the final minutes of the game due to an injury - with the Champions League clash against Manchester United on the horizon.