Barcelona Stay Perfect With 5-2 Win at Real Betis

Barcelona beat Real Betis 5-2: Barcelona kept their perfect start to the LaLiga season intact on Saturday with a 5-2 win at Real Betis, as five different players found the net in a lively match at La Cartuja in Seville.

The champions came into the game with eight wins from eight league matches, and they extended that run to nine from nine against a Betis side that started the day in third place. The win kept Barcelona clear at the top of the table ahead of the Clasico against Real Madrid next weekend, and it equalled the all time record for wins at the start of a league season, set by Real Madrid in the 1968-69 season.

The result also made it 11 wins from 11 games in all competitions for the side of Hansi Flick, with five goals from five different scorers showing that the threat comes from across the pitch.

Barcelona Beat Real Betis 5-2: What Happened

Lamine Yamal opened the scoring after 10 minutes with a superb strike into the top corner. The 19 year old turned sharply on the edge of the box to escape Facundo Bernal and curled a superb effort past the goalkeeper. It was the kind of individual brilliance that can transform a difficult away fixture.

Betis answered through a close range header from Valentin Gomez after a corner. A corner came all the way through the box and was recycled by Pablo Fornals, who crossed for Gomez to head home in front of Barcelona defender Xavi Espart. Barcelona went back in front before half time when Rodri headed in from a corner delivery by Fermin Lopez.

Betis thought they had levelled again right at the end of the first half through a powerful volley from Giovani Lo Celso, but the goal was disallowed after a VAR review for a handball by Cucho Hernandez earlier in the attacking sequence.

Barcelona moved clear early in the second half. Gabriel Jesus finished a low cross from Yamal to make it 3-1. Betis pulled one back through Abde Ezzalzouli, who stayed onside after a switch of play instigated by Lo Celso and rattled the ball into the net. The momentum swung again moments later when Bernal was sent off for a headbutt on Yamal, leaving Betis with ten men.

With the numerical advantage, Barcelona began to look more comfortable. In the 62nd minute, a free kick from Yamal struck the wall and looped towards the far post, where Pau Cubarsi got to the ball ahead of goalkeeper Alvaro Valles and popped it over for Eric Garcia to finish from close range. Dani Olmo added the fifth goal in the 81st minute, collecting the ball on the edge of the area and firing home as rain lashed down on Seville.

There were two developments for Barcelona, one positive and one not. Raphinha returned from a short absence through injury, but Garcia departed early with what the club hope is not a serious fitness issue. Jesus also went off injured in the 79th minute.

Key Facts

Detail	Fact
Competition	LaLiga, matchday 9
Venue	Estadio de La Cartuja, Seville
Final score	Real Betis 2-5 Barcelona
Barcelona scorers	Yamal 10, Rodri 41, Jesus 51, Garcia 62, Olmo 81
Betis scorers	Gomez 27, Ezzalzouli 53
Red card	Facundo Bernal, 54th minute
Disallowed goal	Lo Celso, first half, VAR handball
Possession	Betis 31 percent, Barcelona 69 percent
Shots	Betis 6, Barcelona 17
Expected goals	Betis 0.98, Barcelona 3.02
Barcelona league record	9 wins from 9

What It Means

The result underlines the strength of the Barcelona attack. Five goals from five different scorers showed that the threat comes from across the pitch, and Yamal added another goal and assist to a superb start to the season. Cubarsi provided two assists from defence, and the bench made a difference too, with Olmo scoring after coming on as a substitute.

The match also exposed the weakness of Barcelona under Flick: the defence. Betis scored twice and had a third goal ruled out, and the champions looked open whenever the pressing structure became disconnected. Against stronger opponents, that openness could prove costly.

For Betis, the defeat ends a strong run of form at home. They had won their previous home league match 5-2 against Osasuna, but they could not contain Barcelona after going down to ten men. Betis rested several players, including key midfielder Isco, ahead of the Champions League clash against Feyenoord on Wednesday, and the home side still gave Barcelona a stern test.

The win moved Barcelona five points clear at the top of LaLiga. Atletico Madrid, second, had snatched a late 1-0 win at Espanyol earlier in the day, while Betis are eight points adrift of the leaders and Real Madrid, fourth, host Sevilla on Sunday.

What Next

Barcelona now turn their attention to El Clasico against Real Madrid on 25 October, with kick off at 9pm CEST on Sunday. A win in that match would set a new all time record for wins at the start of a league season, against Real Madrid themselves.

Betis will look to bounce back in their next league fixture, and the home side will hope that the returning players from rest are fresh for the run of fixtures ahead.

Conclusion

Barcelona produced another statement win, with five goals, five scorers, and a record equalled. Betis played their part in a thrilling match, but the red card and the depth of the Barcelona attack decided it. The champions head into El Clasico in perfect form, and with history within reach.

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