BARCELONA: Luis Suarez grabbed a hat-trick and Lionel Messi bagged two goals as Barcelona began their quest for a third straight La Liga title in style with a crushing 6-2 win over Real Betis at the Camp Nou on Saturday.

Arda Turan, whose two goals against Sevilla helped Barca lift the Spanish Super Cup on Wednesday, gave them an early lead at the Nou Camp before Ruben Castro equalised in the 21st minute.

Barca went back in front thanks to a trademark 37th-minute goal from Messi before Suarez, La Liga’s top scorer last season, made it 3-1 before halftime.

Messi set up Suarez for the Uruguayan’s second in the 56th minute before the Argentine netted again a minute later with a left-foot drive from outside the area.

Suarez then completed his treble with a 25-metre free kick in the 82nd minute.

Betis scored again six minutes from time after Castro struck a right-foot shot beyond goalkeeper Claudio Bravo.

Sevilla also scored six goals but in a much closer 6-4 thrilling win over Espanyol for their first victory under manager Jorge Sampaoli after losses in the UEFA Super Cup and Spanish Super Cup.

Striker Luciano Vietto netted twice for Sevilla against a visiting Espanyol side who were in their first match under coach Quique Sanchez Flores.

Elsewhere, Villarreal drew 1-1 at Granada.

Published in Dawn, August 22nd, 2016