Barcelona overpowered by stunning Betis
Played in the neutral city of Huelva, Betis were quickly into their stride and Barca had no answer to their counter-attacking pace and power.
One of the more suspect defences in the Spanish league, Barcelona were cruelly exposed at times.
It was no surprise when Betis took the lead in the 26th minute when Jesus Capi broke the offside trap, eluded Gaizka Mendieta's last ditch tackle only for keeper Victor to barrel into him and give away the penalty.
Alfonso, currently on loan from Barcelona to Betis stepped up to put the spot kick away in the 26th minute.
Joaquin made it two midway through the second half, waltzing in from the right and embarrassing Frank De Boer before lashing home a left foot effort.
However, this was upstaged by defender Fernando Varela, who picked up the keeper's throw out just inside his half and went on a mesmerising run that took him past five Barca defenders before unleashing a left foot shot that went high into the net.
It was certainly reminiscent of John Barnes's famous goal in Brazil and only the second of Varela's Betis career.
The punishing travelling schedule of Barca - going to Turkey, stopping off in Portugal before arriving in Huelva enroute to Moscow could be pointed at as an excuse, but simply they were not in the same class as Betis.
Elsewhere, two late goals for Deportivo La Coruna gave them a 2-1 win over Alaves.
Ivan Alonso put the home side in the lead in the 54th minute but Diego Tristan equalised with twenty minutes to go and Juan Capdevilla got the winner in injury time.
Ten men Real Madrid were held to a 1-1 draw at Valladolid.
Michel Salgado picked up two bookings in a minute and was sent off in the 38th minute but Real were still ahead at the break thanks to Raul's superb chip.
Valladolid struck back, but were indebted to Nicolas Olivera's penalty just before the hour to give them a share of the spoils.
Click below for more information on the games:
La Liga:
Alaves v Deportivo
Real Betis v Barcelona
Valladolid v Real Madrid
Click here for the updated La Liga table
