Ronaldinho was back to his best as he helped Barça to a comfortable victory over Real Betis in Camp Nou on Sunday evening. The Brazilian scored twice and led the attack as the Blaugrana moved to within one place of the top position in the league.

Thierry Henry opened the scoring before Ronaldinho netted two superb free-kicks to cap a fine team display by Frank Rijkaard's side. Lionel Messi also stood out as he produced his range of skills and caused the visitors' defence problems throughout. At the back the Barça defence stood strong and Víctor Valdés was rarely troubled as Betis concentrated on keeping the ball out at the other end.

Early chances

After a bright start by Héctor Cúper's outfit, Barça soon took control of the encounter and looked to be enjoying themselves as they played the ball aorund confidently and quickly in the midfield, while their opponents attempted to chase and harry in order to prevent their opponents from making the breakthrough.

In the 16th minute, the Blaugrana created their first chance when Xavi picked out Henry in the box only for the Frenchman to see his header tipped away Ricardo. Soon after the Barça forward broke away down the right of the area and shot from an angle, but this time the ball cannoned back off the near post and flew out for a throw in on the far side of the pitch, such was the force of his effort.

Making a break

In the 33rd minute the first goal arrived as the home side passed the ball confidently round at the back as Betis closed in before an incisive break saw Touré Yaya feed Iniesta on the left and he in turn fed Henry.

The Frenchman sped clear of his marker before calmly slotting the ball past Ricardo, who had appeared unsure whether to come out further or retreat to his line.

Pressure lifted

After scoring in the José Zorilla against Real Valladolid in midweek, Ronaldinho added to his tally seven minutes after the break and this time he celebrated in style. The Brazilian stood over a free-kick slightly to the right 25 yards from goal and curled his drive over the wall and into the top near corner of the net.

Chances galore

Henry then saw a glorious chance go begging as Ronaldinho clipped the ball back for Xavi from the by-line, after linking well with Messi, and Xavi fired a volley which Ricardo palmed upwards and Henry looked to have the simple task of nodding home from close range, but the French striker headed wide from six yards out.

Ronaldinho then sent another free-kick over the wall and wide before Messi produced the move of the game as he turned away from his marker on the halfway line and attacked the Betis area at pace before skipping away from Lima down the right and clipping a first-time shot aiming for the far corner of the goal, but the effort skimmed wide of the post.

Signing off in style

As the clock ticked down, Betis looked to have escaped any more punishment, but they allowed Ronaldinho one last chance after Iniesta had been fouled on the edge of the area. The number ten stood over the ball on the left of centre outside the box and strode forward to power the ball through the wall and into the net via the near post.

The win ensured that FC Barcelona maintained their 100 per cent record at home this season, having won six out of six league games, and are now just one point behind Real Madrid after their defeat against Sevilla the night before.

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