Ferran Torres scored a first-half hat-trick, leading Barcelona to a 5-3 victory over Real Betis and extending their lead at the top of La Liga by four points on Saturday. Lamine Yamal and Roony Bardghji also found the net as the champions secured a largely comfortable win in Seville, despite conceding two late goals.
Second-place Real Madrid will host Celta Vigo on Sunday, aiming to close the gap on Hansi Flick’s side, while fourth-place Atletico Madrid face Athletic Bilbao later on Saturday. Barcelona, after some inconsistent performances, defeated Atletico Madrid midweek and built on that success with their triumph against Betis.
“We are fighting hard, and my players were exhausted, so not everyone was at 100 percent by the end, which is normal,”
Flick told reporters. “Today is positive. Really positive, and compliments to my players.”
Flick made rotations, keeping in mind the key Champions League clash against Eintracht Frankfurt on Tuesday. Bardghji started on the right wing, Torres led the attack in place of Robert Lewandowski, and teenage star Yamal was moved to a central attacking midfield role, where he impressed.
Former Manchester United forward Antony opened the scoring for fifth-place Betis at their temporary La Cartuja home, capitalising on Jules Kounde’s error. Kounde made amends five minutes later, assisting Torres in a sharp team move to level the score.
Torres struck again in the 13th minute, converting Bardghji’s cross to put Barcelona in front. Bardghji added the third goal after a fine effort from Pedri, finishing with aplomb. Torres completed his hat-trick before half-time with a deflected shot past Alvaro Valles, marking his 11th league goal and making him the second top scorer in La Liga behind Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe.
“I already knew I could do this,” Torres told Movistar. “That’s what you have to do at Barca, and I’m aiming for many more goals.”
Yamal netted Barcelona’s fifth goal from the penalty spot before the hour mark, following a harsh handball decision against former Blaugrana defender Marc Bartra. Marcus Rashford’s shot was blocked by Bartra, but the ball struck his hand.
Yamal missed a clear opportunity when clean through, shooting too close to Valles, and Rashford also missed a one-on-one chance. Betis scored two late goals, with Diego Llorente converting from a poorly defended corner, and Cucho Hernandez scoring a penalty after Kounde fouled Ez Abde.
Earlier on Saturday, third-place Villarreal maintained pressure on La Liga’s top two with a 2-0 win over 10-man Getafe. Tajon Buchanan scored shortly before half-time, and Getafe’s Luis Milla was dismissed after a confrontation with Buchanan. Georges Mikautadze added the second goal in the 64th minute, bringing Villarreal within one point of second-place Real Madrid.
Marcelino Garcia Toral’s Villarreal have won six consecutive league games and remain unbeaten since early October.
“A good win in a tricky game,” Villarreal defender Renato Veiga told Movistar. “We are going game by game, and that’s what we have to do.”
