In an exciting clash at the Estadio La Cartuja, Barcelona showcased their attacking prowess with a thrilling 5-3 victory over Real Betis, securing a four-point lead at the summit of La Liga. Ferran Torres was the star of the show, netting a first-half hat-trick to further solidify the team’s position at the top of the table.
The match began in a dramatic fashion as Real Betis took an early lead just six minutes in. Former Manchester United winger, Antony, found the back of the net, marking his fifth goal of the season and providing his team with a hopeful start. However, Barcelona responded swiftly; within five minutes, Torres tapped in a well-crafted move to level the score.
The momentum shifted quickly when Torres struck again, showing his brilliance with a volleyed finish from inside the penalty area just two minutes later, putting Barcelona ahead. The 20-year-old Swedish winger Roony Bardghji added to the scoreline with his first La Liga goal shortly thereafter, capitalizing on a precise pass from Pedri and finishing neatly at the near post.
Torres then completed his hat trick just minutes before the break, firing off a perfectly executed shot from outside the box, sending the teams into halftime with Barcelona holding a commanding 4-1 advantage.
As the second half unfolded, Barcelona continued to dominate. A pivotal moment occurred when they were awarded a controversial penalty after the video assistant referee (VAR) intervened, ruling that a block from Marc Bartra had inadvertently flicked up and touched his hand. Lamine Yamal confidently converted the penalty, extending Barcelona’s lead to 5-1 and marking his sixth goal of the season.
Real Betis, however, refused to back down. In the 85th minute, Diego Llorente pulled one back for the visitors, making it 5-2. The match concluded with a flurry, as Jules Kounde fouled Abde Ezzalzouli in the box, leading to a penalty converted by Cucho Hernandez in the dying moments of the game, finalizing the score at 5-3.
With this victory, Barcelona not only strengthened their position at the top of the league but also highlighted their attacking depth and resilience, setting the stage for an exciting remainder of the season.
