Ferran Torres hit a first-half hat-trick as Barcelona defeated Real Betis 5–3 on Saturday, moving four points clear at the top of La Liga.
Lamine Yamal and Roony Bardghji added the other goals for the champions, who were in complete control for most of the match in Seville before conceding twice late on.
Real Madrid, second, host Celta Vigo on Sunday, aiming to reel Hansi Flick’s side back in, while fourth-place Atletico Madrid visit Athletic Bilbao later Saturday.
Barcelona arrived in Seville buoyed by their midweek win over Atlético, and Flick said the team showed renewed resilience.
“We are fighting and the players were exhausted, at the end not everyone was at 100 percent, and that is normal,” said the German coach. “Today was really positive. Compliments to my players.”
With a crucial Champions League tie against Eintracht Frankfurt on Tuesday, Flick rotated his squad. Bardghji started on the right, Torres led the line ahead of Robert Lewandowski, and 17-year-old Yamal operated centrally, where he shone.
Betis, playing at their temporary La Cartuja home, struck first through former Manchester United forward Antony, who blasted in after Jules Koundé inadvertently played him onside. The French defender made amends moments later, delivering a cross that Torres finished to level the match.
Torres put Barça ahead in the 13th minute with a near-identical finish from Bardghji’s delivery, and the visitors quickly took control. Bardghji then grabbed Barça’s third after Pedri carried the ball forward and released him to finish confidently.
Torres completed his hat-trick before the break with a deflected effort that wrong-footed goalkeeper Álvaro Valles, his 11th league goal of the season, placing him behind only Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé in the scoring charts.
“I already knew I could do this,” Torres told Movistar. “That’s what you must do at Barça. I’m aiming for many more goals.”
Yamal struck Barça’s fifth from the penalty spot shortly before the hour mark after former Barcelona defender Marc Bartra was harshly penalised for handball. Yamal later wasted a clear chance when one-on-one with Valles, and Marcus Rashford also missed narrowly after breaking through on goal.
Betis snatched two late consolations. Diego Llorente turned in at the back post from a poorly defended corner, before Koundé clipped Ez Abde to concede a penalty that Cucho Hernández converted.
– Villarreal maintain momentum –
Earlier in the day, third-placed Villarreal continued their impressive run with a 2–0 victory over 10-man Getafe.
Tajon Buchanan opened the scoring shortly before half-time, and Getafe midfielder Luis Milla was sent off early in the second half after reacting angrily when Buchanan kicked the ball at him.
Georges Mikautadze added the second in the 64th minute, moving Villarreal within a point of Real Madrid.
Marcelino García Toral’s side have now won six straight league matches 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 — that’s the approach we need.”
— AFP
