For a brief flash, it looked like Barcelona’s campaign to win a third straight La Liga title — and a fourth in five years, and a ninth in 13 — might get off to a wobble. But that was long before Luis Enrique’s men would run away with the game and get off to a 6-2 winning start to the league season.

Real Betis wasn’t rolling over at the Camp Nou. Barcelona went up early when Lionel Messi dinked a ball across the box in the sixth minute, which bounced to Jordi Alba. The left back cut it back for Arda Turan, whose stab over the line defender Aissa Mandi couldn’t keep out.

GOOOOOOOOOAL!

Barcelona goes on top with @ArdaTuran's first of the season via a Leo Messi assist. #FCBBetis https://t.co/wEeDZzLGvT — beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) August 20, 2016





But 15 minutes later, Ruben Castro whacked an inch-perfect free kick into the far top corner to equalize. HIs effort It took a slight deflection and goalkeeper Claudio Bravo, who will likely leave the club for Manchester City after this game, got something of a hand to it. But Castro’s shot was too hard and too well-placed to stop.

GOOOOOOOOOOAL!

Ruben Castro ties it for Betis at the 20' with a FK gem, nothing Bravo could have done! #FCBBetis https://t.co/hyxwKLZmY9 — beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) August 20, 2016





Soon enough, Barca had a credible penalty shout when Mandi shoved Luis Suarez down in the box as he pursued a pass. But, dubiously, there was no call.

No matter, because in the 37th minute, Messi whipped in a shot from the top of the box.

MESSIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!@FCBarcelona goes back on top with this classic strike from Lionel. #FCBBetis https://t.co/yUJJ6Evohi — beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) August 20, 2016





And before halftime, Suarez put the game out of reach. Sergi Roberto cut back from the wing and the Uruguayan’s precise finish snuck in off the bottom of the far post.

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL!

Talk about a clean finish, incredible touch by @LuisSuarez9 to put Barça on top 3-1. #FCBBetis https://t.co/3A4OCvDH7E — beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) August 20, 2016





Before the hour, a splendid team goal made it 4-1. Barca defended a corner, broke out in numbers, scampered across the field and, in the end, Messi squared for Suarez for the tap-in.

Here's the replay to that @LuisSuarez9 golazo with the typical @RayHudson touch at the end of the clip ???????????? https://t.co/KftDbsUmRg — beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) August 20, 2016





Shortly thereafter, Messi got his second, cutting through a few defenders and slotting home the fifth from distance. And then it was Suarez’s turn again. He completed his hat-trick in the 82nd minute by smashing in a free kick.





Betis cut the deficit some late on, when the Barca back line didn’t clear a free kick properly. Castro managed to poke the ball home for his second.

GOOOAAAL!!

35-year-old Ruben Castro picks up a brace for @RealBetis_en and makes it 6-2. #LaLiga https://t.co/hJb2UsqRFN — beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) August 20, 2016





This was Barcelona’s best start to the league in many years. Well, no, actually, since the 2013-14 season, when it beat Levante 7-0. Because Barca.