Half-Time Report: Lionel Messi gives Barcelona the lead against Real Betis

A penalty from Lionel Messi has given Barcelona a 1-0 lead in their La Liga match against Real Betis this evening.

The hosts started strongly and almost opened the scoring when Adriano found Xavi on the edge of the box, but the midfielder saw his low drive kept out by Antonio Adan.

They were then given a penalty moments later after Alexis Sanchez was brought down in the box by Jordi Figueras. Messi stepped up to take the spot kick and calmly slotted the ball home.

Barcelona continued to dominate and should have doubled their lead when Adriano drilled a low ball across the six-yard box that Dani Alves turned wide of the post.

Messi came close to adding a second minutes before the break, but after picking the ball up just outside the box, he bent an effort just wide.