Barcelona opened a four-point lead at the top of La Liga after Ferran Torres delivered a superb first-half hat-trick in a 5–3 win over Real Betis on Saturday, extending Hansi Flick’s strong run and tightening the champions’ grip on the title race.

Barca, who defeated Atletico Madrid in midweek, backed it up with another statement performance in Seville. The visitors ran riot early, with Lamine Yamal and Roony Bardghji joining Torres on the scoresheet as Flick’s rotated side showed fluency and control before a late Betis surge narrowed the margin.

Betis struck first through Antony after Jules Koundé kept him onside, but the French defender quickly redeemed himself by helping create Torres’ equaliser. Torres added a second moments later from Bardghji’s delivery, before the Swedish teenager finished off a sweeping move for 3–1. The Spain forward completed his hat-trick via a deflection shortly before half-time, taking his league tally to 11 – second only to Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé.

AFRICA PICKS: Premier League Sunday spotlight – Matchday 15 bets to bank on

Yamal added the fifth from the penalty spot early in the second half, awarded for a harsh handball against Marc Bartra. Barca then eased off, allowing Betis to score twice late on through Diego Llorente and Cucho Hernández, but the champions’ advantage at the top remained intact ahead of Madrid’s clash with Celta Vigo on Sunday.

Flick praised his squad’s resilience after a demanding week: “We are fighting and the players were exhausted, but today was really positive. Compliments to my players.”

There was trouble elsewhere for Atletico Madrid, who suffered a second defeat in four days. Alex Berenguer struck an 85th-minute winner for Athletic Club at San Mamés, deepening Atletico’s slump and leaving them nine points behind Barcelona. Diego Simeone admitted frustration after his side’s unbeaten run was brought to an abrupt halt by consecutive losses.

Meanwhile, Villarreal continued their surge with a 2–0 win over 10-man Getafe, their sixth straight league victory. Tajon Buchanan and Georges Mikautadze scored either side of a Luis Milla red card, pushing Marcelino’s side to within a point of second-placed Real Madrid.

– AFP

Photo: Fran Santiago/Getty Images