Ferran Torres netted a hat trick, while Lamine Yamal successfully converted a penalty, and Roony Bardghji impressed in a rare starting opportunity as Barcelona mounted a stunning comeback to defeat Real Betis 5-3 in LaLiga on Saturday.
This victory against fifth-placed Betis in Seville expanded Barcelona’s lead to four points over Real Madrid ahead of their match against Celta Vigo on Sunday.
Since transitioning from a bench player, Torres has become Hansi Flick’s most frequently utilized striker, outpacing Robert Lewandowski in starts, as Lewandowski, now 37, has seen a decrease in his playing time.
Leading Barcelona’s scoring chart with 13 goals—11 of which are in LaLiga—Torres trails only Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé, who has 16 domestic league goals.
Bardghji, in just his third start since joining Barcelona from Copenhagen over the summer, was particularly impressive with his dynamic dribbling and provided the assist for Torres’ first goal before scoring the third goal himself with a powerful shot just inside the box.
Barcelona’s Lewandowski and Raphinha remained on the bench for the match, ensuring they will be well-rested for Barcelona’s upcoming Champions League clash against Eintracht Frankfurt on Tuesday.
Betis initially took the lead with a goal from Anthony in the sixth minute at Benito Villamarin Stadium, but Barcelona responded swiftly through Torres.
Torres slipped behind the defense to finish a squared pass from Jules Koundé, equalizing quickly.
He then scored again two minutes later, acrobatically volleying a cross from Bardghji through the legs of goalkeeper Álvaro Valles. After Bardghji made it 3-1 in the 31st minute, Torres completed his hat trick in the 40th with a shot from distance that took a deflection off a defender, deceiving Vallés.
Barcelona implemented a tactical adjustment, utilizing Yamal primarily in a central, creative midfield role, deviating from his regular position on the right wing.
Yamal played a crucial part in the buildup to Torres’ first goal and scored Barcelona’s fifth from the penalty spot in the 59th minute after a shot from Marcus Rashford struck the raised arm of Marc Bartra.
In a late surge, Betis managed to score twice with goals from Diego Llorente and Cucho Hernández, who converted a penalty following a foul by Koundé in the box.
Rashford had a golden opportunity to extend Barcelona’s lead but missed the target in a one-on-one situation with Vallés.
Coming into the match, Betis, managed by Manuel Pellegrini, was in high spirits after defeating their city rivals Sevilla and remained unbeaten in their last eight games. However, if they draw against Espanyol on Sunday, they will fall behind in the standings.
Fermín López made his return to the pitch as a second-half substitute after missing two matches with a leg injury.