Lionel Messi scored in his 500th match for Barcelona to help them ease past Real Betis 4-0 on Wednesday and ensure they kept the lead of the Spanish league to conclude a superb year for the Catalan club. Messi recovered from a hard knock with Antonio Adan that was ruled a penalty against the Betis goalkeeper by later doubling Barcelona's advantage after an own goal gave the hosts the lead. Betis coach Pepe Mel was sent off for protesting shortly after, and Luis Suarez scored twice in the second half. With a game to play, Luis Enrique's team leads La Liga on goal difference from Atletico Madrid, which won 2-0 at Rayo Vallecano. Barcelona won five titles in 2015, including the Spanish league and Champions League. (For more sports news andupdates, followAhramOnlineSportson Twitter at@AO_Sportsand onFacebookatAhramOnlineSports.) http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/177803.aspx