Yamal sets the tone as Barcelona beat Betis 5-2 for nine wins from nine

Lamine Yamal scored inside 10 minutes and Barcelona never really let Real Betis settle, winning 5-2 at the Estadio de La Cartuja on Saturday night to make it nine wins from nine in La Liga.

Yamal’s opener was cancelled out by a Valentin Gomez header in the 27th minute, but Barcelona went in front again before half-time when Rodri headed in a Fermin Lopez corner. Gabriel Jesus made it 3-1 six minutes after the break, finishing a cross from Yamal.

Abde Ezzalzouli pulled one back for Betis almost immediately, but the home side’s hopes faded within a minute when Facundo Bernal was reported to have been sent off for a headbutt in the scuffle that followed. Eric Garcia and Dani Olmo then added the fourth and fifth.

Flick’s verdict

Hansi Flick did not hold back about his teenage star. “Right now he is the best player in the world,” the Barcelona coach said, praising Yamal’s focus and attitude.

Flick was less keen to talk about records. “We want to win titles and achieve bigger things,” he said.

The win came with injury worries. Garcia and Gerard Martin were both taken off, and Flick said Jules Kounde has “small problems”. Medical checks will decide who is fit for Tuesday’s Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain. Garcia believed his own injury was minor, Flick said, but he would be cautious.

What comes next

Barcelona stay top of the table going into the European week. Real Madrid play at home to Sevilla on Sunday night, the last of the weekend’s La Liga matches except Monday’s game between Getafe and Rayo Vallecano.