Messi, Suarez score twice as Barcelona extend league lead

Seville, January 22 

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Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez scored twice as Barcelona won 5-0 at Real Betis with five second-half goals to increase its Spanish league lead. Ivan Rakitic also scored for the Catalan club, which moved 11 points ahead of Atletico Madrid at the start of La Liga’s second half. 

After 20 rounds, Barcelona has a 14-point lead over third-placed Valencia, and is 19 points in front of rivals Real Madrid, which has a game in hand. “There are 18 games left, that’s a lot,” Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde said. “But with each win we will be taking a big step toward the title.”

Bloodied Ronaldo scores twice in Real Madrid rout

Madrid: Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice but had to leave the pitch with his face covered in blood as Real Madrid eased their domestic crisis by hammering Liga strugglers Deportivo La Coruna 7-1 at home on Sunday to reclaim fourth place in the standings.

Ronaldo was unable to continue playing after he was left with a bloodied face by the boot of Deportivo defender Fabian Schar as he struck his second goal, which took him level with Gareth Bale as Real’s top scorer in the league with six strikes. — Agencies