Defensive errors
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After giving Barcelona no real chance to open the scoring in the first half, Real Betis had no one else but themselves to blame as they essentially put the match beyond their own reach thanks to two defensive errors.
It wasn’t a poor defensive performance from Merino’s men by any means, who kept one of the best attacking forces in world football silent for most parts of the game. But the Catalans capitalised on every small mistake that Betis’ defenders made.
A seemingly unthreatening aerial ball from Messi bounced into the box and was slotted into an empty net with ease by Ivan Rakitic for the first goal of the game. Miscommunication between centre-back German Pezzella and keeper Antonio Adan prevented either of them from clearing the danger.
The second goal was a classic example of brilliant counterattacking play as Suarez timed his run to perfection to get onto Messi’s through ball into the box. The Uruguayan put the ball past Adan with a perfect finish to double Barcelona’s lead. None of the defenders tracked Suarez’s run as he went on to score the second goal.
