Barcelona 5-2 Real Betis: 5 talking points as the Catalans run over ten-man Betis in second half | La Liga 2020-21

#3 Messi changes the game within 4 minutes

Lionel Messi.

It's rare to see a Barcelona starting lineup without Lionel Messi. But the Argentine wizard was given some much needed rest after looking visibly fatigued in previous games, as he started on the bench against Betis.

But Messi's services were called upon soon enough by Ronald Koeman, as the Dutch manager went straight to his talisman after Real Betis equalized with the last kick of the opening half. Just as Messi came on to begin the second-half proceedings, Barca started being way more imposing on the ball right away suffocating Betis in their own half.

The opening came sooner than expected as Messi cleverly tricked goalkeeper Claudio Bravo into committing - with a dummy move on Jordi Alba's cross, only for Griezmann to calmly tap it into the empty net to restore Barcelona's lead.

Messi with an absolutely outrageous dummy pic.twitter.com/Z73U8WediA

— Ryan Baldi (@RyanBaldiFW) November 7, 2020

Two became three as Leo Messi showed no nerves to hammer in his 57th minute penalty into the top-right corner of the net, as Real Betis went down to men.

Messi's long wait for an open-play goal this season also came to an end in 82nd minute, helped by a clever back-heel from Sergi Roberto, as the lil magician rifled a left-footed strike past his former team-mate Claudio Bravo into the net to seal the game for Barcelona.

#4 Aissa Mandi has a nightmare at the back

Aissa Mandi.

For years, Aissa Mandi has been Real Betis' rock-solid force in defense, often bailing out his team on his own. Mandi has often had impressive performances against Barcelona too, even while visiting the Catalans' home.

But the Algerian was anything but solid in the recent visit to Camp Nou, as he cost his side a penalty in either halves and got sent off leaving Betis with ten men for the last half hour.

The defender completely misjudged his challenge on Ansu Fati in the 32nd minute, sticking out his leg too early in the box and conceded a stonewall penalty while also getting into the referee's books. But to bring temporary respite to Mandi, Griezmann missed his chance to convert from the spot.

However, Mandi's luck was short-lived and he wasn't so fortunate the second time; in the 57th minute when he conceded another penalty, blocking a shot into goal with his arm. To add to his misery, the foul was enough to warrant a second yellow card ending the 29 year-old's game a lot earlier than expected. Lionel Messi converted the ensuing penalty, leaving Betis with a deficit too big to make up.

Aissa Mandi now misses the club's next La Liga fixture, which is against Athletic Club after the International break.

#5 Antoine Griezmann's struggle up-front continues, despite getting on the scoresheet

For the first-half of the game, Antoine Griezmann seemed to revel in a new role as he played just behind Ansu Fati as second striker - stepping into the shoes of a certain Lionel Messi.

Griezmann's general play was fine, linking up well with fellow France international Ousmane Dembele; he assisted the latter's first goal.

But the forward found no luck in front of the net himself, driving three shots wide off the goal inside the first 30 minutes. Griezmann's best chance from the open play came as early as in the fourth minute of the match, when the ball fell at his stronger left foot on the edge of the box with plenty of time to line up his shot. But the former Atletico Madrid main man drove his shot wide.

The 29-year-old had another golden chance in the 33rd minute, as Barcelona got a spot-kick to double their lead. However, in a fashion typical of a player severely lacking confidence, Antoine Griezmann took a rather poor penalty-kick which was saved by Claudio Bravo with relative ease. This was the fourth straight effort Griezmann had missed from the spot, for club and country - an indication of his utterly poor recent form in front of goal.

A penalty missed by Griezman🚫⚽️⚽️Barcelona vs. Betis#BarcaBetis #Griezmann #Messi #Barca #PENALTY #Livestream pic.twitter.com/UduQpSBvxt

— A.K.S (@SakyiAlpha) November 7, 2020

Thanks to Lionel Messi, there was some respite for Griezmann as he tapped in into the empty net early in the second half. But if the goals don't start coming soon and regularly from Barca's €120m acquisition, he may find it difficult to hold on to his starting spot over a teenage Ansu Fati shooting for the stars and a resurgent Ousmane Dembele.