Two assists from Lionel Messi helped Barcelona remain in first place in the closely contested La Liga title race with a 2-0 win over 10-man Real Betis.
All three title contenders were victorious on Saturday, leaving Barcelona on top with 85 points. They hold the head-to-head tiebreakers over both Atletico Madrid, who also have 85 points, and Real Madrid, a point back on 84, with two games remaining.
The first half at Betis featured more yellow cards than shots, with two of the seven bookings going to Heiko Westermann, who was sent off after bringing down Barca’s Ivan Rakitic in the 35th minute.
Barcelona started to make their advantage count in the second half as Luis Suarez, who recorded hat tricks in his previous two league games, missed wide from nine yards after being played though by Messi.
The Argentine kept up his fine service minutes later when his lofted pass into the box fell between defender German Pezzella and the onrushing goalkeeper Antonio Adan. The ball fell to Rakitic, who tapped in to give Barcelona the lead in the 50th minute.
Suarez again squandered an excellent chance when he received a pass from Messi in the centre of the box, only to shoot directly at Adan.
But the Uruguayan made no mistake in the 81st minute after Messi delivered his best pass of the night, a long low delivery from near midfield that evaded five defenders before landing on the foot of Suarez.