Thanks to a hat-trick from Ferran Torres, Barcelona beat Real Betis 4-2 and moved within reach of Real Madrid. Isco equalised at one point, but Torres sealed the victory with a last-minute assist from Joao Félix. Barcelona are in third place with 44 points, seven points behind Real Madrid, who won 3-2 at Almeria and moved two points clear of leaders Girona. Girona will play later on Sunday.
Ferran Torres scored a brilliant hat-trick as Barcelona closed the gap on La Liga leaders, Real Madrid to seven points with a 4-2 win over Real Betis.
Manuel Pellegrini’s home side had been passive so far, but great finishes from Isco in the 56th and 59th minutes turned the game on its head to make it 2-2.
The match was intense from start to finish, and either team could have scored the winning goal, but Barça put the game away with some clever attacking play, scoring with the outside of their spikes in the final moment and scoring half way through.
The assist was provided by João Félix, who actively participated in the last minute score.
And it was Torres who scored in the final minutes after receiving a pass from the excellent Lamine Yamal, and with a brilliant chip finish he scored the decisive three-point shot for the visitors. Barça are in third place with 44 points after 20 games, seven points behind Los Blancos.
Los Blancos beat Almeria 3-2 earlier in the day, moving them two points behind second-placed Girona.
Talking Points – Barca showed real solidity for victory
When Torres scored the fourth goal to give Barcelona victory, Xavi celebrated with great joy. It was an exciting night and the visitors would be glad to have taken the three points as Isco scored twice with three minutes left to equalise for the home side.
A lower team would have collapsed, but Barça found the character and quality to finish the game under considerable pressure.
Player of the Match – Ferran Torres (Barcelona)
Scored a hat-trick and was also engaged as an assist provider for substitute João Félix to score Barca’s critical third in the dying minutes to complete a fantastic evening in Seville.
Special honours should also go to his adolescent teammate Lamine Yamal and the rejuvenated Betis playmaker Isco, both of whom delivered outstanding displays.
Player Ratings
Real Betis:
Silva 6, Bellerin 6, Pezzella 6, Sokratis, Abner 6, Jonny 6, Isco 9, Roca 6, Luis Enrique 7, Willian Jose, Diao 7
Substitutes: Sergi – Altimira 6, Borhai Iglesias 6, Nabil Fekir 6
Barcelona: Pena 6, Kounde 7, Araujo 7, Kvarsi 8, Barde, de Jong 6, Gundogan 7, Pedri 7, Yamal 9, Lewandowski 6, Torres 9
Substitutes: João Félix 8, Fermín López 7, Vitor Roque 7
Match Highlights
Barcelona scores in the 21st Minute! (TORRES): Cross from Pedri’s right side. A lovely pass across the face of goal, which Ferran Torres taps home. Will VAR rule in their favour? Travelling supporters in a party atmosphere, high up in the stands. And it stands. The visitors have a 1-0 advantage. Fine goal and finish.
Barcelona scores in the 48th minute! (TORRES):
And that will treble his chances for the night. He thumps the ball into the net after Lamine Yamal’s cross bounced pleasantly off the bar and found him. Yamal played quite well. It is 2-0.
56 minutes Betis Hit Back (ISCO): Pena struggles to deal with the cross. Palms it back into traffic, and Isco hits an incredible volley high into the net. What a finish! Betis is back in the game.
60 Minutes Goal For Real Betis! (ISCO): Would you believe this? Isco scores twice in four minutes to bring Betis level at 2-2. That is a great goal, as he chipped it over Pena. VAR confirms he is well onside following the Luiz Henrique pass. Okay, now. What does Barca have here? 2-2.
89th Minute Goal For Barcelona! (Joao Felix): João Félix scored a beautiful goal off a Ferran Torres ball near the outside of the area. A little one-two between Joao and Ferran on the outside of the right boot. Fantastic goal. Is this the winner?
90+3′ Minute Goal For Barcelona (TORRES): Torres scores a hat-trick. What a pass from Yamal to send his teammate sprinting clear. Superb pass over Silva, and it’s game, set, and match for Barcelona, who lead 4-2.
