BARCELONA - Barcelona closed to within a point of Primera Liga leaders Real Madrid following a comprehensive victory over a poor Real Betis side on Sunday.
Thierry Henry set the Catalans on their way in the first half before Ronaldinho sealed an easy win with two brilliant free-kicks in the second period.
Frank Rijkaard's side knew a win would see them close in on bitter rivals Real, who lost at Sevilla on Saturday, and attacked from the outset.
Henry, back in the side after missing Thursday night's draw at Real Valladolid with an Achilles injury, looked particularly lively early on.
The former Arsenal striker, criticised for his performances since joining from Arsenal in pre-season, looked close to his brilliant best as he tested Betis keeper Ricardo with a bullet header early on and fired a blistering right-footed shot against the post on 21 minutes.
The Frenchman also fired just wide with a long-range effort and could have won a penalty when he looked to be held back on the edge of the area minutes later.
Barca were in control and it appeared only a matter of time before the opening goal arrived.
And when it came, it was worth the wait.
Yaya Toure picked out Iniesta on the left flank and the Spain midfielder immediately launched a flighted ball forward to Henry, who skipped past his marker and beat Ricardo with a clinical low finish on 32 minutes.
Betis, other than a wild effort from Chile winger Mark Gonzalez, had offered practically nothing up until now and resorted to a serious of cynical fouls to stop the Catalans.
Ronaldinho came close with a couple of free-kicks and Lionel Messi was a constant threat on the right flank, skipping past defenders at ease, but Barcelona had to make do with a one-goal lead at the break.
The Catalans began rather sloppily after the interval, but went two goals up when Ronaldinho curled a wonderful free-kick into the top corner on 52 minutes.
Henry should have added a third goal five minutes later after Ricardo had parried Xavi's powerful volley, but the Frenchman failed to hit the target with his close-range header.
Messi then charged into the area on a mesmerising run as the home side piled forward again, but the Argentina winger saw his angled drive pushed away by Ricardo.
Henry failed to connect to Toure's driven cross and Ronaldinho curled another free-kick just wide as Rijkaard's side pressed for a third goal.
Messi then produced a moment of sheer magic on 72 minutes.
The Argentina winger took up possession on the half-way line and beat several challenges on one of his trademark dribbling runs, but saw his shot drift just inches wide of Ricardo's far post when a repeat of last season's Maradona-style goal against Getafe had looked certain.
The Nou Camp faithful nevertheless showed their appreciation for the youngster and shouts of "Messi, Messi" reverberated around the ground.
Ronaldinho was not to be outdone and attempted an audacious scissor kick from the edge of the area, which sailed just over the bar.
The Brazilian winded himself in the process, but soon picked himself up and was applauded back on to the pitch by the home fans.
Bojan Krkic then replaced Henry with 11 minutes remaining and the youngster was quickly involved, winning a corner with a dangerous cross on 82 minutes and then firing a blistering long-range effort just wide of Ricardo's right-hand upright.
Ronaldinho added a third goal on the stroke of full-time when he curled a free-kick through the wall and in off the post, sending a clear message to Real Madrid that the Catalans are back in the title race.
