La Liga - Barcelona 5-2 Real Betis - Match Report
Griezmann grabs a brace as Barcelona impress in 5-2 demolition of Betis
Antoine Griezmann scored his first Barcelona goals as Ernesto Valverde's side recorded a thumping 5-2 LaLiga win over Real Betis on Sunday.
Griezmann endured a disappointing debut in last weekend's surprise 1-0 defeat to Athletic Bilbao, but the €120million signing from Atletico Madrid – leading the line in the absence of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez – announced himself to the Camp Nou faithful in style.
Nabil Fekir had given Betis a shock 15th-minute lead before Griezmann turned the game on its head either side of half-time with two fine finishes.
Barcelona did not look back after his second, adding further goals through Carles Perez – his first for the club – Jordi Alba and Arturo Vidal before Loren Moron's wonderful late consolation for the visitors.
Barca started sharply, going close through Sergi Roberto and Griezmann, but it was the visitors who struck first.
The hosts lost possession cheaply in the middle of the pitch, allowing Loren Moron to feed the marauding Fekir. The former Lyon man pulled away from Alba and dispatched a clinical left-footed strike from 16 yards into Marc-Andre ter Stegen's bottom-left corner.
Barca came agonisingly close to restoring parity 10 minutes before the interval when Rafinha's close-range effort was diverted narrowly past the post by the outstretched leg of Sidnei.
They did pull level in the 41st minute, however, Griezmann stretching superbly to meet Roberto's clipped ball over the top and volley past Dani Martin.
Roberto was the provider again for Griezmann's second in the 50th minute, the France international whipping a glorious left-footed strike past Martin from 18 yards.
Barcelona were well and truly in the mood and scored a third six minutes later when Perez skipped past his marker and coolly slotted past a helpless Martin from just inside the area.
The Betis goalkeeper picked the ball out his net again just four minutes later, this time from Alba. The left-back surged into the penalty area, collected Sergio Busquets' pass and slid past the beleaguered Martin.
Barca eased off in the final 30 minutes, but they did add a fifth in the 77th minute when substitute Vidal expertly steered into the roof of the net from 10 yards after being picked out by Griezmann.
The final goal was one from Betis, with Moron firing a wonderful strike into the top corner from 25 yards in the 79th minute, although it did little to detract from a fine Barca win.
Goals/Highlights
Goal! Betis score a stunning consultation! Loren with a screamer! It won't count for much though!
Goal! Substitute Arturo Vidal plants the ball into the top corner to put the content beyond any doubt
Goal! Jordi Alba pokes the ball home to make it 4-1 Barcelona's La Liga season is up and running!
Goal! Carles Pérez arrows a shot into the bottom corner! A fine finish from the youngster!
Goal! Barcelona strike after the break! Griezmann curls one into the bottom corner! This is turning out to be quite the home debut for the summer signing!
Goal! Griezmann opens his Barcelona account! Sergi Roberto clips the ball into the box and the Frenchman fires Barca level!
Chance! The slickest passing move of the game from Barcelona! William Carvalho get a vital deflection on Rafael's shot!
Goal! Nabil Fekir silences the Nou Camp! Loren lays on a perfect ball for the Summer signing who drills the ball into the bottom corner!
Chance! Griezmann takes a pot-shot which wizzes just wide!
Peep! We are underway!
Live Updates
Preamble
Final warmups underway at the Nou Camp, remember we get underway at 22:00 Mecca
Pique makes his 500th appearance for Barcelona! What an achievement!
Now for Real Betis! Nabil Fekir keeps his place in the side, veteran attacker Joaquín has to settle for a place on the bench.
Team News! Three changes for Barcelona from the side that started against Bilbao! Suarez and Dembele are out through injury whilst Carles Aleñá also misses out! Carles Pérez, Rafina and Sergio Busquets come into the side.
Plenty of love for Real Betis on their arrival to Barcelona, all to a thumping indie stomper!
No Messi tonight for Barcelona. Who will step up for the Catalans!
Remember, Real Betis came away with a 4-3 win last time they visited Barcelona. Can they pull off another upset tonight?
So here we go! The first La Liga game at home for Barcelona! Surely they must get all three points tonight, right?
Good evening! Welcome to the live updates of Barcelona Vs Real Betis! The Catalans are looking for their first points of the season, following that shock opening day defeat to Atletic Bilbao. Will Real Betis pile further misery on Valverde's side? Join me for all the build-up, team news and goals as they go in!