Ferran Torres Nets Hat-Trick as Barcelona Beats Betis to Boost La Liga Lead
Ferran Torres claimed a hat-trick in the opening period to inspire Barcelona to a 5-3 triumph against Real Betis, pushing them four points ahead at the La Liga summit on Saturday.
Lamine Yamal along with Roony Bardghji added the further strikes, enabling the title holders to claim a generally assured success in Seville, despite allowing two strikes in the closing stages.
Second placed Real Madrid entertain Celta Vigo on Sunday with the intention of narrowing the gap to Hansi Flicks outfit, whereas fourth ranked Atletico Madrid head to Athletic Bilbao later on Saturday.
Flick chose to introduce several changes to the lineup, bearing in mind the crucial Champions League encounter with Eintracht Frankfurt set for Tuesday.
The German manager deployed Bardghji on the right side and Torres leading the line instead of Robert Lewandowski, while repositioning the teenage sensation Yamal to a central forward role.
Antony, once a Manchester United striker, broke the deadlock for fifth placed Betis at their provisional La Cartuja stadium, smashing the ball in following an error by Jules Kounde that left him onside.
The French centre back compensated for his mistake to assist Barcelona in drawing level just five minutes on, as Torres neatly converted his delivery after a slick passing sequence.
Torres added another in the 13th minute via a comparable route from Bardghjis delivery to hand Barcelona the upper hand, a lead they held firm thereafter.
Bardghji netted the third on his own account after Pedri advanced play effectively, the Swedish wide player concluding with finesse.
Torres rounded off his hat-trick prior to the interval via a fortuitous deflection, his attempt looping beyond Alvaro Valles into the net.
This represented his 11th strike in the league, establishing him as the runner-up goalscorer in La Liga trailing only Real Madrids Kylian Mbappe.
Yamal dispatched Barcelonas fifth from twelve yards before the hour, after ex Blaugrana stopper Marc Bartra suffered a severe handball call.
Marcus Rashfords effort was repelled by Bartra yet the sphere ballooned up and contacted his arm.
Yamal ought to have extended the lead when bearing down on goal but directed his shot too near to Valles, with Rashford likewise missing from a clear opportunity.
Betis grabbed a brace in the dying minutes, Diego Llorente nodding in at the near post off a corner Barcelona failed to clear properly.
Kounde rashly upended another past Barcelona man in Ez Abde, permitting Cucho Hernandez to convert calmly from the spot.
Villarreal Sustain Momentum
Earlier, third positioned Villarreal continued to challenge the La Liga frontrunners by overcoming 10 man Getafe 2-0 on Saturday.
Tajon Buchanan edged the home team in front moments before the break, as Getafe midfielder Luis Milla was ejected shortly post interval amid a furious clash with the Canadian player.
Buchanan launched the ball towards Milla, who was seemingly dismissed for his retort to the Villarreal man.
Georges Mikautadze struck the follow up in the 64th minute, drawing Villarreal level on points with second placed Real Madrid bar goal difference.
Marcelino Garcia Torals Villarreal have triumphed in six league matches running and stayed unbeaten from early October onwards.
"A solid victory in a challenging fixture," noted Villarreal back Renato Veiga to Movistar. "We take it one match at a time and that remains our approach."