Barcelona took home another win to add to their league kitty last night, and it came against Real Betis at the Estadio de La Cartuja.
The crowd on the night were electric, actively jeering the Catalans and hoping for a miracle upset from their in-form Real Betis.
Barcelona, however, were simply too good for even Los Verdiblancos as they retained possession, dominated the game, created the better chances and put a 5-2 scoreline on the board.
The result hands the team strong momentum ahead of the games against PSG and Real Madrid, and Hansi Flick could not have hoped for a better result.
Barca Universal brings you three takeaways from Real Betis 2-5 Barcelona.
Controversy all along
While the scoreline may not reflect it, Barcelona’s game was far more controversial and equal than it appears at first glance. After all, Real Betis fought hard and valiantly for a long time.
Gerard Martin picked up a knock vs Real Betis. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)
Over the ninety minutes, there is no doubt that Barcelona deserved all three points and were the better, more dominant and more inspiring side to watch.
Real Betis, however, do have reason to feel hard done and even unlucky with how the game played out, not necessarily the result.
While the game began with sportsmanship, tensions rose after the referee disallowed Real Betis’ goal in the first-half which would have brought them back to level terms at 2-2.
Giovanni Lo Celso’s wonder strike was ruled out for a handball significantly behind in the buildup, one that arrived much before the ball was flung into the air after a deflection.
To have the referee go back that much in time and find the foul to disallow the goal riled the Real Betis players and fans up, and understandably so.
The referee may well have been right with his decision, but it remains controversial whether the handball was in the same ‘phase of play.’
From that point on, the game turned ugly with Lamine Yamal and Fermin Lopez getting under the skin of the Real Betis players constantly. When Los Verdiblancos did eventually score their second of the night, all hell broke loose.
Fermin Lopez was on the ground after a heavy challenge, and Real Betis players got physical with the midfielder to have him stand up and prevent any VAR intervention. When Yamal went on to help his teammate, he was pushed by Facundo Bernal.
In the altercation that ensued, the midfielder grabbed Yamal, hit him in the head twice, and flung him to the ground, leading to him being sent off. The game completely changed from that point.
In that sense, the game was filled with far more controversy than one would have expected, but was fitting for a clash between two of Spain’s best sides this season.
A historic streak
The clash against Real Betis last night was Barcelona’s ninth league game of the season, and brought with it their ninth win in the competition as well.
Having not dropped a single point so far, the Catalans are in imperious form and have even levelled a very special record in La Liga.
For starters, this is the first time in history that Barcelona have won all nine opening games in La Liga, marking a special achievement for Hansi Flick’s side.
Alongside that, they have also equalled Real Madrid’s record from the 1968-69 season for the most consecutive wins at the start of a season in league history.
Poetically, they will have a chance to break that record and establish their sole dominance on that front next weekend when they face off against Real Madrid in El Clasico.
Lamine Yamal is special
Yamal scored a blinder to open the scoring. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)
Barcelona’s games, at this point, are not dependent on any single individual and the team is well capable of operating in attack even without the big names.
Yet, Lamine Yamal is a player who manages to find a way to leave his mark in every game, and last night was no different.
In an age of football where skills, dribbles and tricks have become a matter of the past, the youngster brings flashes of brilliance that leave the world stunned.
Last night, his goal to give Barcelona the lead was a work of art, one that will be spoken about for years to come.
Taking on the defenders himself, the player made a run towards the box before suddenly stopping still and turning back. On his strong foot, he took a shot into the far corner from outside the box, and the strike was inch-perfect to beat the goalkeeper.
Such was the quality of the goal, that several Barcelona players including Pedri, Rodri and Gabriel Jesus were seen with their hands on their heads in utter disbelief.
Beyond that, his trickery in the box was something the hosts simply could not get a hold of, and he provided an assist to Gabriel Jesus for the Brazilian’s goal. He could well have had a second assist as well, but the goal was disallowed.