In the ninth round of the Spanish championship, Hansi Flick's team confirmed their status as the main favorites of the season by crushing Betis 5:2 away and securing their ninth victory in nine matches. Despite conceding two goals, the Catalans once again demonstrated high scoring efficiency, and after the match, Barcelona reached 27 points, remaining the sole leader of the standings with a 100% record. A full breakdown of the match and the tour context can be found in the report by Sport RBC.UA.
Early Goal by Yamal and Betis's Response
Barcelona started the match more actively and took the lead as early as the 10th minute: Lamine Yamal scored with a spectacular shot, allowing the visitors to quickly seize the initiative. Betis, however, were not going to surrender without a fight — in the 27th minute, Valentin Gomez leveled the score and brought intrigue back to the matchup. By halftime, the Catalans managed to take the lead again: in the 41st minute, Rodri scored with a header, netting his first goal for Barcelona.
Second Half: Rout and Hosts' Red Card
The Catalans started the second half productively. In the 51st minute, Gabriel Jesus capitalized on a pass from Lamine Yamal to extend the visitors' lead to two goals. Just two minutes later, Ez Abde narrowed Betis's deficit to 2:3, giving the hosts another chance to get back into the game. Manuel Pellegrini's side was dealt a heavy blow when Facundo Bernal received a red card for a headbutt toward Yamal, leaving Betis down to ten men. Barcelona converted their numerical advantage into goals — Eric Garcia scored the Catalans' fourth in the 62nd minute, and Dani Olmo made it a rout at 5:2 in the 81st minute.
Raphinha's Return and the Standings
A separate milestone for the visitors was the return of Raphinha, who came on late in the game after recovering from an injury. The final victory allowed Barcelona to reach 27 points and maintain a 100% record after nine rounds, holding on to sole leadership in the Spanish championship. Betis suffered a defeat, breaking their long unbeaten streak. The goalscorers were: for Betis — Valentin Gomez (27), Ez Abde (53); for Barcelona — Lamine Yamal (10), Rodri (41), Gabriel Jesus (51), Eric Garcia (62), Dani Olmo (81).
Context: Pressure on La Liga Leadership
The match in Seville took place against the backdrop of intra-league tension: it was previously reported that Real Madrid demanded the resignation of the La Liga president. Thus, Barcelona's high-scoring victory became not only a sporting event but also a symbolic moment of the week in Spanish football, strengthening the Catalans' position in the title race.