Spanish powerhouse FC Barcelona has matched a league record that has stood for 58 years.
Barcelona beat Real Betis 5-2 in a Round 9 away match of the 2026-2027 Spanish La Liga season on the 17th at La Cartuja Stadium in Seville, Spain. With 27 points from nine wins, Barcelona tightened its grip on first place with nine straight victories to start the season.
The run equals the La Liga record for most consecutive wins at the start of a season, set by Real Madrid in the 1968-1969 campaign. A win in the next round would give Barcelona sole possession of the record.
The firepower is even clearer in the numbers. Barcelona has scored 39 goals while conceding nine in nine matches, a pace of more than four goals per game. That is 20 goals more than second-placed Atletico Madrid, which has 22 points and 19 goals. The gap in points is five, but analysts say the gap in performance is far wider.
The source of that overwhelming attack is Lamine Yamal. In the 10th minute, Yamal curled a left-footed shot from the right corner of the penalty box into the top left of the net to open the scoring. In the 51st minute, he delivered a cross from the right flank to set up Gabriel Jesus for the third goal. One goal and one assist gave him two attacking points in a flawless performance.
Yamal's presence cannot be explained by goal statistics alone. He repeatedly cut inside from the right flank to unsettle the Betis back line, and even while absorbing concentrated marking from defenders, he kept opening up dangerous areas. Facundo Bernal's dismissal in the 54th minute also came from a duel with Yamal.
A constant starter and the focal point of the attack through all nine opening matches, Yamal has established himself as the key to Barcelona's surge this season. Analysts say his contribution has been by far the biggest factor in the club's league-leading goal tally.
Rodri, who joined Barcelona this summer, also scored his first goal for the club in his eighth appearance since the transfer, heading in a left-side corner kick in the 41st minute to make it 2-1. Eric Garcia and Dani Olmo added goals to complete the high-scoring win.