In a goal-fest at the Benito Villamarín, FC Barcelona showcased their attacking firepower to secure a vital 5-3 victory against a resilient Real Betis on Saturday. The win, powered by a stunning hat-trick from Ferran Torres, solidifies Barcelona's position at the summit of La Liga.
Torres Stars in Flick's Attack
The match was a personal triumph for Ferran Torres, who has firmly established himself as the first-choice striker under manager Hansi Flick. The Spanish forward opened his account in the seventh minute, finishing a Jules Koundé pass after Betis had taken a shock early lead through Anthony in the sixth. Torres then added a spectacular volley just two minutes later and completed his hat-trick with a deflected effort in the 40th minute. With 13 goals across all competitions, Torres is now Barcelona's top scorer this season.
Youthful Exuberance on Display
While Torres stole the headlines, Barcelona's young talents also shone brightly. Roony Bardghji, the 20-year-old Swedish winger making a rare start, was instrumental. He provided a sharp assist for Torres's second goal and then smashed home Barcelona's third himself in the 31st minute. Lamine Yamal, deployed in a central role instead of his usual wing position, linked play effectively and calmly converted a penalty in the 59th minute after a handball by Marc Bartra.
The tactical decisions by Flick were clear, with veterans Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha rested entirely on the bench, keeping them fresh for the crucial UEFA Champions League clash against Eintracht Frankfurt on Tuesday.
Betis Fightback Falls Short
Manuel Pellegrini's Betis, who entered the match on an eight-game unbeaten run, refused to capitulate. They scored two late consolation goals through Diego Llorente and a Cucho Hernández penalty after a foul by Koundé. Despite the defeat, Betis's fifth-place standing could be threatened if Espanyol secure a result on Sunday.
In other La Liga action, Villarreal beat Getafe 2-0 to remain third, while Alavés pulled off a surprise 1-0 win against Real Sociedad in the Basque derby. For Barcelona, the return of midfielder Fermín López from injury as a substitute was an added positive on a night where their attacking depth proved decisive.
