Watch: Suarez nets hat trick, Messi scores twice in Barcelona's La Liga opener
Luis Suarez scored a hat trick and Lionel Messi scored a pair of goals in Barcelona's 6-2 season-opening win over Real Betis, giving their side three points to start its latest title defense.
Following his star showing in the Spanish Super Cup, Arda Turan opened the scoring for Barcelona, only to have Ruben Castro equalize on a stunning free kick to have the teams tied at 1–1. Messi broke the deadlock in the 37th minute, though, with a brilliant strike from the top of the box.
The Argentinean took a pass from Sergi Roberto, moved to his left, and then curled the ball around the reach of goalie Antonio Adan.
Suarez got on the board just five minutes later with a beautiful one-timed effort from inside the box.
The two were at it again in the second half. Messi embarked on a lengthy run from his own half, worked a give-and-go and then teed up Suarez for a tap-in to make it 4-1 in the 56th minute.
One minute later, Messi netted his second with another blast from outside the area, making it 5-1.
Suarez capped his hat trick in the 82nd minute on a gorgeous free kick, curling a right-footed blast from 25 yards to make it 6-1.
Castro scored his second in the 84th minute, but it was of little consolation, with the result well in hand.
Real Betis is playing with an overhauled lineup this season after finishing 10th in La Liga in 2015–16. Barcelona, meanwhile, won the league, edging out rival Real Madrid by one point.
