Barcelona skipper, Lionel Messi, was on the scoresheet as the Catalonia side got a hard-fought 3-2 win over Real Betis in the La Liga on Sunday evening.

Ronald Koeman’s side kept any little hopes of a title triumph alive as they stood within seven points of league leaders Atletico Madrid.

A loss to Betis in Sevilla would have extended the gap between the Blaugrana and the league leaders to 10 points.

However, Barcelona is in form, and the team hasn’t lost since the 3-2 extra-time loss to Athletic Bilbao in the Spanish Super Cup.

Barca has raked up six games winning streaks in all competitions since then.  Furthermore, Barcelona hasn’t lost in the La Liga since their 2-1 loss to Cadiz in December.

The game started with the Home side taking the lead into half time through Borja Iglesias 38 minute goal, his fourth goal in four matches.

Lionel Messi was substituted in the 57th minute, and he scored the equalizer two minutes later before an own goal from Victor Ruiz gave Barcelona a short lead in the 68th minute.

Ruiz atoned for his own goal with an equalizer for his team in the 75th minute before another substitute Trincao got the winner for Barcelona, three minutes from regular time.

The win ensures that Barcelona remains in 2nd on the table, level on point with Real Madrid who defeated Huesca 2-1 on Saturday.

However, both Barca and Real Madrid are 7 points behind Atlético Madrid who has two games in hand.

Atletico Madrid will face Celta Vigo on Monday while Barcelona will face Alaves next in the La Liga.

Meanwhile, Real Sociedad defeated Cadiz 4-1, Athletic Bilbao drew 1-1 with Valencia while Osasuna continues their escape from the relegation zone with a 2-1win over Eibar.

Written by: Daniel Ademiju Idowu