Another hot match by "Barça": 7 goals, Yamal's masterpiece, and a refereeing controversy
The Catalans are heading into the El Clásico with nine consecutive victories. In the match against Real Betis, the referee made several controversial decisions in favor of the Catalans.
Another thrilling match from "Barca": 7 goals, Yamal's masterpiece, and refereeing controversy
"Betis" – "Barcelona" 2:5
Yamal, 10 (0:1). Gomes, 27 (1:1). Rodri, 41 (1:2). Gabriel Jesus, 51 (1:3). Abde, 53 (2:3). E. Garcia, 62 (2:4). Olmo, 81 (2:5)
Nine wins in nine rounds: "Barcelona" repeated "Real's" record set in the 1968/1969 season for the best start in the Spanish championship with a record streak. However, the match in Seville was not easy for the Blaugrana.
"Barcelona" played in the Champions League four days ago, and next week, Hansi Flick's team faces tests against "PSG" in the UCL and "Real" in La Liga. Despite this, the head coach did not make major rotations compared to the lineup in Istanbul.
At the start of the match, "Barcelona" controlled the ball, while "Betis" defended in a medium block using a 4-4-2 formation, with Fornals and Hernandez forming the first line of defense in attack. The Catalans spent 10 minutes looking for the key to the opponent's defense, and then immediately converted their first shot into a goal. Yamal dribbled past a defender twice and sent the ball into the far corner without entering the penalty box.
By the middle of the first half, the hosts replied from a set piece. Following a corner kick, the defenders failed to clear the ball, and Fornals, who gained possession, provided an assist to Gomes.
After the score was leveled, the game opened up — until the end of the half, both teams took turns creating scoring opportunities. On the eve of the break, Flick's team also scored from a corner kick. Fermin delivered the ball to the center of the penalty area, and Rodri headed it into the goal, celebrating his first goal for the Catalans.
Shortly after, Lo Celso also struck a masterpiece shot no less impressive than Yamal's, but VAR intervened and disallowed the goal due to Cucho Hernandez playing the ball with his hand. However, the handball occurred in an earlier phase of the attack, and the goal was scored when the attack restarted.