Ferran Torres hat-trick powers Barcelona to widen La Liga advantage as Atletico Madrid falters

Ferran Torres scored a hat-trick in the opening period to propel Barcelona to a 5-3 victory over Real Betis, solidifying their four-point lead at the summit of La Liga on Saturday.

Lamine Yamal and Roony Bardghji added the remaining goals, allowing the title holders to secure a largely straightforward win in Seville, despite allowing two goals in the closing stages.

Real Madrid, in second position, will face Celta Vigo at home on Sunday with the goal of closing the gap on Hansi Flick's team.

Atletico Madrid, sitting fourth, suffered a second loss in the week, going down 1-0 to Athletic Bilbao.

Villarreal, occupying third spot, maintained their pursuit of the leading duo by beating 10-man Getafe 2-0.

Following a few inconsistent outings, Barcelona overcame Diego Simeone's Atletico during the week and followed it with another success against Betis.

"We are competing hard and (my players) were fatigued, so towards the end not all were at full strength, which is expected," Flick commented to the media.

"This day brings positivity. Truly positive, and praise for my players."

Flick chose to rotate his squad, considering the upcoming Champions League encounter with Eintracht Frankfurt on Tuesday.

The German manager positioned Bardghji on the right flank and Torres as the central striker instead of Robert Lewandowski, while shifting young talent Yamal to a central offensive midfield position, where he shone.

Ex-Manchester United attacker Antony gave Betis, who are fifth, the lead at their interim venue La Cartuja, firing in after Jules Kounde inadvertently left him onside.

The French full-back redeemed himself by contributing to Barcelona's equaliser just five minutes later, with Torres converting his delivery following a quick team play.

Torres netted once more in the 13th minute via a comparable sequence from Bardghji's assist, giving Barcelona the edge, from which they did not relent.

Bardghji added the third goal personally after Pedri advanced the ball effectively, the Swedish winger executing a fine finish.

Torres sealed his treble before the break thanks to a fortunate deflection on his effort past Alvaro Valles.

This marked his 11th goal in the league, placing him as the second-highest scorer behind Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe.

"I was aware of my potential for this," Torres shared with Movistar.

"That is the requirement at Barcelona, and I am targeting plenty more (goals)."

Yamal converted Barcelona's fifth from 12 yards before the hour, following a controversial handball call against ex-Blaugrana defender Marc Bartra.

Marcus Rashford's attempt hit Bartra, but the ball looped up and contacted his arm.

Yamal and Rashford squandered significant opportunities before Betis pulled two back late on, Diego Llorente bundling in at the far post from a poorly defended corner.

Kounde awkwardly brought down another former Barcelona man in Ez Abde, allowing Cucho Hernandez to slot away the penalty.

Atletico falters

Alex Berenguer's outstanding effort from distance in the dying minutes secured Athletic's triumph over Atletico, who now trail Barcelona by nine points.

Atletico had enjoyed an unbeaten streak of 13 games prior to their midweek reversal against Barcelona, with the Basque side capitalising at their vibrant San Mames ground.

Ernesto Valverde's Athletic, in seventh, had lost to Real Madrid midweek but delivered a stronger performance to overcome their opponents.

Athletic endured a tough beginning to the campaign in both league and Champions League play, yet they edged Atletico in a competitive contest before Berenguer struck decisively from afar in the 85th minute to earn the victory.

"Sides playing at home often show more courage, it affects all but the extraordinary (outfits)," Simeone noted.

"We created evident scoring opportunities, unsure if more or fewer (than Athletic), but ultimately they took the points."

Earlier, Villarreal dispatched Getafe with ease to sustain their championship challenge.

Tajon Buchanan put the home team in front just before the interval, with Getafe's Luis Milla sent off shortly after the restart following a heated exchange with the Canadian playmaker.

Georges Mikautadze struck the second in the 64th minute, drawing Villarreal level on points with second-placed Real Madrid.

Marcelino Garcia Toral's Villarreal have triumphed in their last six domestic fixtures and remain undefeated since early October.

"Sustaining this form is unfeasible," the Villarreal manager remarked. "However the points accumulated cannot be taken away."