Real Betis 2-3 Barcelona live online: LaLiga 2019/20

Five goals, a penalty, 10 yellows cards, two sendings off and three assists from Messi, it was yet another eventful meeting between Real Betis and FC Barcelona. Hosts Betis took the lead on 5' through a Canales penalty after Lenglet handled in the box. But four minutes later Messi set up De Jong with a wonderful through ball to allow the Dutchman to score the equaliser.

Betis found themselves ahead again on 26' as Fekir expertly buried his long-distance effort passed Ter Stegen. But again, Messi had an answer, this time the captain finding Busquets from his free-kick set piece and the Spanish defender side-footed the ball passed Robles to make it 2-2 in first-half injury time.

Messi had his third assist 25 minutes later, an it was almost a carbon copy of the second. This time the Argentine playmaker floated his free-kick set piece delivery towards Lenglet, who jumped high to guide the ball into the far corner with his head to give the visitors the lead for the first time in the game.

The French defender was sent off a few minutes later, just after Betis' Fekir had been given his marching orders. And like that, the game was played out with 10 v 10 and ended 3-2, but not before Messi had a late penalty appeal waved away, as Bastra's questionable challenge by the six-yard area denied the Barcelona striker his 15th LaLiga goal of the season. Barca back to winning ways after their Copa del Rey elimination mid-week. 

Peep, peep, peep! The ref blows his whistle and that's it. Barcelona win 3-2 and come away with three points to keep themselves within touching distance of Real Madrid. 

Messi appealing for a penalty for tug on his shirt by Bartra in the six yard area. But ref says no. Judging from the replay he had a case there. 

Four minutes added on here with Barcelona in control. 

Rakitic enters for a few-minute cameo, as Griezmann comes off. 

Final change for Betis as Tello comes on for Rodriguez. The hosts have five minutes to find an equaliser. 

Betis enjoying some time in Barca's third as they go in search of an equaliser. But the ball eventually ends up in the hands of Ter Stegan and Barca are back in posession. 

Another red card, this time it's Lenglet!! The game is down to 10 v 10. The French defender picks up his second yellow for a challenge on Joaquin. He walks off the pitch having given away a penalty and scored a goal. 

Red card for Fekir!! It's all starting to fall apart for Betis. The first yellow came for a late challenge on Lenglet, and before the ref even had a chance to put the card back in his pocket, he was raising it again for Fekir's back chat. His team mates are furious. Stupidity from the Frenchman. 

Betis change as 38-year-old Joaquin comes on for Carvalho. 

Messi again!! This time his outswinging cross from the corner of the box almost ends up in the net. Well it looked like it was intended to be a cross, but maybe it was intentional. This is Messi we're talking about. Either way it's another chance from the Barca captain as the visitors push for their third goal. 

After an average goal every 12 minutes in the first half, we've now gone 20 minutes without a goal in the second half. Surely it's coming.

One change for Betis as Loren comes on for Borja Iglesias. 

Chance Messi! The Barca captain collects the ball at the edge of the box, beats one defender with his first touch and then blasts the ball towards the near post. But again Robles denies him. 

Two changes for Barca: Vidal makes way for Arthur; Jordi Alba comes on for Junior Firpo. 

De Jong gives the ball away with a wayward pass, allowing Betis to break quickly. It's three on three as Betis forwards rush towards the box. But Iglesias plays a poor pass to Fekir and the move breaks down. 

Chance Barca! Vidal is released inside the right side of the box. The shot doesn't open up for him so he plays it back to Messi, who hits a clean strike but goalkeeper Robles manages to punt the ball out for a corner. Bright start from the visitors. 

Betis get the second half underway!

Messi's two assists in that first half brings his total to 10 in LaLiga. He currently tops both the assist and goal (14) leaderboards. 

Peep, peep! And Busquets' goal is the last action of a lively, open and entertaining first half that has brought four goals. The last three games between these two have averaged 6.33 goals per match. And it looks like this game is on its way to reaching that. More goals surely to be expected in the second half. 

Betis captain Mandi picks up the fifth yellow of the game for a nasty challenge on Vidal. 

Chance Betis! Barca loanee Aleñá's shot from distance takes a slight deflection that almost catches out Ter Stegen. However the German keeper manages to get a leg to the ball to keep it out. 

Decent ball again from Messi into the box, again towards Lenglet. But the French defender can't make a decent connection. 

Fekir gets his payback on Serig Roberto with a late challenge. Messi will have a chance to float a free kick into the box. 

Betis full back Emerson goes in the book after a clash in the air with Junior Firpo. Barca now have a free kick from a dangerous area. Messi floats the ball in but a Betis leg stops Lenglet getting a head to it. Appeals for a high leg from Barca as Lenglet goes down holding his face. But the ref waves them away. 

Yet another cynical challenge from Barcelona as Betis tried to work the ball forward. This time Vidal goes in the book following Sergi Roberto a few minutes earlier. 

Chance Barca! The ball is thrown wide to Griezmann on the right. The Frenchman plays a lovely through ball into the path of Messi that slices open the Betis defence wide open. But the captain can't get his dink shot over the on-rushing Robles in goal. 

Barcelona passing and moving with all their might here, but there is just nothing opening up for them. They eventually put the ball out for throw in as Umitit tried to glide a ball wide. 

Cynical handball from Busquets as Betis tried to break from their own third. He's lucky he hasn't been booked. 

It has been a bit of back and forth over the past few minutes with no chances either end. A bit of a lull after those two fast goals in the opening 10 minutes. 

The last three games between these two have averaged 6.33 goals per match. And it looks like we could be in for more of the same!

And he's given it! Penaly for Betis, as Lenglet is also handed yellow card. Canales will step up to take it. 

Appeals for penalty from Betis for a Lenglet handball in the box as Fekir left a shot off! The ref going to check the VAR monitor. 

Betis fans spring to life as Emerson tries to break down the right flank. But he can't beat Junior Firpo. 

Peep! We're off. Barca get the game underway. 

The Betis fans singing their hearts out as the teams go through the pre-match protocol. 

The teams are emerging from their dressing rooms and making their way to the tunnel. Five minutes to kick off here. 

A warmly welcomed return for Junior Firpo and Quique Setíen earlier...

The vistors arriving a little earlier to the Villamarín...

Quique Setién is not the only ex-Betis figure returning to the Estadio Benito Villamarín with Barcelona tonight: Junior Firpo sees himself start against his former club. Speaking to Barca TV ahead of the game, Firpo said: "I'm looking forward to seeing how they recieve me... I never imagined myself playing as the visitor at the the Villamarín"

Less than 30 minutes to kick off here with the teams currently warming up. Here are those starting XI's again

Betis: Robles, Emerson, Mandi, Bartra, Alex Moreno, William, Guido, Aleña, Canales, Fekir, Borja Iglesias.

Barcelona: Ter Stegen, Semedo, Busquets, Umtiti, Junior, Lenglet, S.Roberto, De Jong, Vidal, Messi, Griezmann.

In tonight's other fixture: Celta Vigo have just beaten Sevilla 2-1 thanks to an injury time winner from Sisto. The win lifts Celta off the bottom of the table to 17th, while Sevilla drop out of the top four to fifth.

Quique Setién spoke about returning to Betis in his press conference yesterday: "I had two wonderful years. They gave me the opportunity to grow personally and professionally. It is true that the last months were hard, but they are forgotten. I remember friends, the day to day, the successes we had, how daring we were. I do not hold any grudges of any kind. I understand the criticism, I accept it. I left satisfied because I know the situation the team was in when I arrived and how it was when I left."

With a total of 19 goals scored, the last three meetings between Barcelona and Real Betis have averaged 6.33 goals per game. More of the same tonight?

Betis were the last team to beat Barcelona at Camp Nou in that thrilling 4-3 encounter back in November, 2018, when Setién was still coach of the Seville outfit. Barcelona, however, have since won the following two meetings of the clubs and convincingly: 4-1 at the Estadio Benito Villamarin in March, 2019; and 5-2 at Camp Nou in August. 

Here is the Betis starting XI: Robles, Emerson, Mandi, Bartra, Alex Moreno, William, Guido, Aleña, Canales, Fekir, Borja Iglesias.

Barcelona teamsheet is in: Ter Stegen, Semedo, Busquets, Umtiti, Junior, Lenglet, S.Roberto, De Jong, Vidal, Messi, Griezmann.

Here's how the table is looking after Madrid's convincing 4-1 win over Osasuna earlier today. Barcelona will cut the gap to three points once again should they emerge as victors from the Estadio Benito Villamarin. 

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of Real Betis vs Barcelona, as Quique Setién returns to take on his old club amid the current heated situation at his new club. Barca will be looking to get back to winning ways after they were booted out of the Copa del Rey by Bilbao during the week. Setién has still a lot of convincing to do among Barca fans. And a win against his former side will certainly help his cause.