Barcelona consolidated their La Liga lead with a comfortable victory over Real Betis under Hansi Flick.
After overcoming an early setback, Barcelona took control of the match in the first half by scoring four goals. Both teams found the net again in the second half, but the champions secured a 5-3 win at Betis’ home ground on Saturday night.
Ferran Torres starred with a brilliant hat-trick. After falling behind to Antony’s opener, Torres scored twice within two minutes to put Barcelona ahead. Following Runi Bardghi’s first goal for the Catalan side, Torres completed his hat-trick before halftime.
In the second half, Lamine Yamal extended the lead, while Betis managed two late goals in an attempt to reduce the deficit.
With 13 wins and one draw in 16 matches, Barcelona now have 40 points. Real Madrid, with one game fewer, are second with 36 points. Betis sit fifth with 24 points from 15 matches, the same as Madrid.
Barcelona dominated possession and created 16 shots, of which eight were on target. Betis had 17 shots, with five testing the goalkeeper.
Betis shocked Barcelona in the 6th minute as Brazilian forward Antony scored from close range to give the hosts the lead.
Barcelona responded quickly. In the 11th and 13th minutes, Torres found the net twice to level the score. Both goals came from similar attacks: a left-side pass from Jules Koundé saw Torres finish from six yards, and then Bardghi volleyed from outside the six-yard box to put Barcelona ahead.
In the 31st minute, Bardghi scored a stunning goal to extend the lead, taking Pedri’s through ball, evading a defender, and blasting a powerful shot past the keeper.
Torres completed his hat-trick in the 40th minute, with a strike from outside the box deflecting off a defender and into the net.
In the 59th minute, Yamal calmly converted a penalty, awarded after a handball by Betis defender Marc Bartra following a shot by Marcus Rashford. Betis players protested the referee’s decision.
The rest of the match saw end-to-end attacking play. Rashford missed a chance to further extend Barcelona’s lead, firing wide from a one-on-one.
Betis reduced the margin in the 85th minute through Diego Llorente, and in stoppage time, Chucho Hernández converted a penalty to complete Betis’ tally after Koundé fouled Abde in the box.
Barcelona’s dominant performance, led by Torres’ hat-trick, ensured they remain firmly at the top of La Liga.
