Barcelona enjoyed their ninth straight La Liga win of the 2026/27 season at Real Betis in a chaotic game at La Cartuja. Lamine Yamal got things started with another stunner, while Rodri, Gabriel Jesus, Eric Garcia and Dani Olmo were also on target in an action-packed match.
Let’s take a look at three talking points.
Jesus shows why Barca aren’t missing Alvarez
You couldn’t really blame culers for being a little disappointed when the Julian Alvarez deal didn’t complete a summer transfer successfully, or when Gabriel Jesus was announced as a ‘replacement.’
The Brazilian had seen his Arsenal career curtailed because of consistent injury concerns, with his striking excellence generally overlooked as a result.
That’s important to note, because his eye for goal has never deserted him, but the injuries were an easier narrative to subscribe to.
Against Betis, Jesus was lively, determined and well worth his starting place.
That he would cement his selection with a goal – after having one ruled out just before – was poetic, and fully deserved.
A studious signing for the club and one of the bargains of the season already.
Joan Garcia… the consummate sweeper-keeper
We’ve long since known the qualities that Joan Garcia possesses, and there’s little doubt that the technical department made the right decision in bringing the former Espanyol custodian to the club.
Against Betis, where the back four were often caught out upfield, Garcia became the consummate sweeper-keeper and helped stop the likes of Ez Abde and others from plundering more goals than the two they managed.
It’s worth mentioning this element of Garcia’s performance from this game particularly, because, given how brilliant Betis have been themselves this season, it was always likely to be Barca’s toughest league assignment to date.
Putting all the shenanigans that occurred in the match to one side, Garcia was as important as any other Barca player for making this an easier win than it otherwise might have been.
He had no chance with the goals but made some great saves, commanded his area well, and deserves the continued plaudits.
You do have to wonder how the national team selectors see things though if he can’t dislodge Unai Simon…
Adeyemi makes Flick’s Gordon decision easier
In a game where he could’ve had some rich pickings, it wasn’t a vintage performance from Karim Adeyemi, if we’re being honest.
The winger has certainly shown in some games that he has the class to play in this Barcelona side, but this wasn’t really one of them.
Whether it was the lack of quality in his finishing and crossing, his often wayward passing or what appeared to be a lackadaisical attitude at times, the 24-year-old will have made Hansi Flick’s decision as to who would be first choice on the left side out of him or Anthony Gordon much easier.
When playing for this team, it is imperative that you show your quality each and every week, not every now and again.
The sight of Adeyemi walking with his hands on his hips, waiting for the ball to reach him, rather than straining every sinew to win possession ahead of his direct opponent, won’t have helped his cause either.
