Barcelona cruised through the first half, collapsed in the second, but salvaged a last-gasp victory against Real Betis to just about stay in the Liga title race. A Ferran Torres double — reliant on expert set-up play from Lamine Yamal — was nullified by a duo of quickfire goals from Isco. But the Blaugrana had the final word, as substitute Joao Felix bagged a 90th-minute winner before Torres rounded out his hat-trick to seal a 4-2 win.
Barca exerted pressure from the outset and were good value for their opener as a fortunate deflection fell to the feet of Pedri, who squared to Torres for an easy finish. Yamal nearly made it two after 40 minutes, but smashed a shot off the post following a delightful run down the wing.
Torres did add his and Barca’s second shortly after the break, with Yamal playing a crucial role. The teenage winger started the play, before seeing his effort fall at the feet of Torres off the bar, who couldn’t miss from close-range.
Betis got back on terms, though, with former Real Madrid star Isco smashing a volley into the roof of the net from 10 yards before he added a second shortly after, steering the ball over a sprawling Inaki Pena to equalise.
Both sides had their chances to win it late on, but Barca were more clinical. Felix poked an effort into the bottom corner with the outside of his foot to give his team the lead as the clock ticked past 90 before Torres added a fourth in stoppage-time from a wonderful Yamal assist to complete his hat-trick.
GOAL rates Barcelona’s players from Benito Villamarin…
