Yamal stars as Barcelona beat Betis 5-2 to stay clear

Barcelona beat 10-man Real Betis 5-2 in Seville on Saturday, with Lamine Yamal scoring the opener as the leaders restored their five-point advantage at the top of La Liga. Second-placed Atletico Madrid also won, with Alex Baena’s 89th-minute goal securing a 1-0 victory at Espanyol.

Hansi Flick’s side set a club record for victories at the start of a league campaign and equalled the all-time mark of nine, set by Real Madrid in the 1968/69 season. Barcelona have won all 11 of their matches across competitions this season.

Barcelona take control in Seville

Yamal opened the scoring in the 10th minute at La Cartuja stadium, turning away from Facundo Bernal on the edge of the box before curling a shot into the top corner. Betis responded before the half-hour mark when Valentin Gomez headed in an equaliser.

Rodri restored Barcelona’s lead with a header from a corner. Giovani Lo Celso then appeared to draw Betis level again with a long-range effort, but the goal was ruled out for a handball by Cucho Hernandez earlier in the move.

Gabriel Jesus made it 3-1 six minutes into the second half from Yamal’s cut-back, shortly after having a goal disallowed for offside. Ez Abde quickly pulled one back for Betis, but Bernal was then sent off for headbutting Yamal during a confrontation involving players from both teams. Yamal was booked for his part in it.

Eric Garcia scored Barcelona’s fourth from close range before substitute Dani Olmo completed the win with a finish from the edge of the box. Flick praised Yamal afterwards, calling him “at the moment the best player in the world”.

Baena settles tight contest

Atletico needed until the 89th minute to break through at Espanyol. Baena struck from the edge of the box in Cornella to secure a sixth consecutive win across all competitions for Diego Simeone’s side.

The goal was Baena’s fifth in the league this season. Simeone said the player was more confident and stronger after winning the World Cup with Spain this summer.

What comes next

Barcelona’s next assignment is against Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday. Flick took Yamal off against Betis to avoid a potential suspension for the Clasico next weekend, while Raphinha returned from injury as a substitute after missing the previous two matches.

Betis sit third, eight points behind Barcelona. Fourth-placed Real Madrid are due to host Sevilla on Sunday.