Sat Dec 06 18:00:00 UTC 2025: ## Barcelona Thrash Real Betis in Thrilling 5-3 Victory
Seville, Spain – Barcelona put on a dominant display on Saturday, defeating Real Betis 5-3 in a high-scoring LaLiga clash at the Benito Villamarin Stadium. A hat-trick from in-form Ferran Torres, a penalty from Lamine Yamal, and a standout performance from young winger Roony Bardghji propelled the Catalan giants to victory.
Barcelona’s win extends their lead at the top of the table to four points over rivals Real Madrid, who play Celta Vigo on Sunday.
Torres has emerged as a key player under manager Hansi Flick, solidifying his position as the team’s leading scorer with 13 goals this season, 11 of those in LaLiga. He is only behind Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé in the domestic league scoring charts. His impressive form has seen him overtake Robert Lewandowski in the pecking order, with the veteran striker seeing reduced playing time.
Bardghji, in just his third start since joining from Copenhagen, impressed with his electric dribbling and a crucial assist for Torres’s second goal. He then added to the scoreline himself with a powerful strike from the edge of the box.
While Anthony put Betis ahead early on, Barcelona responded quickly with Torres netting two goals in quick succession. Bardghji’s goal made it 3-1, before Torres completed his hat-trick with a deflected shot.
The match also saw a tactical shift for Barcelona, with Yamal deployed in a more central, creative midfield role. The youngster impressed in his new position, linking up well with his teammates and converting a penalty in the second half.
Betis managed to pull back two late goals through Diego Llorente and a Cucho Hernández penalty, but it was not enough to derail Barcelona’s victory.
Manuel Pellegrini’s Betis, who came into the game on an eight-game unbeaten streak, will likely be overtaken by Espanyol if they get a draw with Rayo Vallecano on Sunday.
Looking ahead, Barcelona will host Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League on Tuesday. Key players Lewandowski and Raphinha, who remained unused substitutes, will be well-rested for the crucial European fixture. Additionally, Fermín López made his return as a substitute after recovering from a leg injury, adding further depth to Barcelona’s squad.
First Piper 