Lamine Yamal helped Barcelona beat Real Betis 5-2 in Seville.
Hansi Flick hails Yamal as the world’s best after Barcelona beat 10-man Betis and restore their five-point La Liga lead.
Lamine Yamal inspired Barcelona to a 5-2 victory over Real Betis on Saturday, restoring their five-point La Liga lead. Coach Hansi Flick praised the teenage winger as the world’s best player after his standout performance in Seville.
Meanwhile, second-placed Atletico Madrid secured a late 1-0 victory at Espanyol through Alex Baena. Betis remain third, eight points behind Barcelona, while fourth-placed Real Madrid host Sevilla on Sunday.
Lamine Yamal earns Flick praise
Yamal opened the scoring after 10 minutes at La Cartuja with a curling finish into the top corner. The 19-year-old first turned sharply on the edge of the penalty area to escape Facundo Bernal.
Afterwards, Flick told reporters that the quality of that goal reinforced his assessment of the winger. He described Yamal as the best player in the world at present.
Rodri also praised his teammate’s ability to decide matches, but highlighted more than his attacking talent. He pointed to Yamal’s work rate, support for teammates and understanding of where to find space.
The victory gave Barcelona a club-record nine wins at the start of a league campaign. They also matched the all-time mark Real Madrid set in the 1968/69 season.
Across all competitions, Flick’s side have now won each of their opening 11 matches.
Barcelona pull clear after Betis fightback
However, Betis exposed Barcelona’s defensive vulnerability when Valentin Gomez headed an equaliser before the half-hour mark. Rodri then restored the visitors’ advantage with a header from a corner.
Giovani Lo Celso appeared to level again with a spectacular long-range effort. However, a handball by Cucho Hernandez earlier in the move meant the goal did not count.
Gabriel Jesus extended Barcelona’s lead six minutes after the interval, converting Yamal’s cut-back. Moments earlier, an offside decision had denied the forward another goal.
Ez Abde immediately pulled one back for Betis, but the hosts soon lost Bernal to a red card. He headbutted Yamal during a confrontation involving players from both teams, while Yamal also received a booking.
Eric Garcia subsequently scored Barcelona’s fourth from close range. Raphinha also returned from injury as a substitute after missing the previous two matches.
With Barcelona in control, Flick withdrew Yamal to avoid risking a suspension for the Clasico the following weekend. The coach said he had told the teenager how proud he felt of his performance.
Substitute Dani Olmo completed the scoring with a finish from the edge of the box. Barcelona now turn their attention to Tuesday’s meeting with Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain.
Baena delivers late Atletico winner
Earlier, Baena settled a tight contest in Cornella with an 89th-minute strike from the edge of the box. His fifth league goal of the campaign gave Atletico their sixth consecutive victory across all competitions.
The Spain international embraced coach Diego Simeone after scoring the decisive goal.
Afterwards, Simeone credited Spain’s World Cup success that summer with strengthening Baena’s confidence and changing his outlook. He said the midfielder now showed the qualities Atletico had sought when signing him.
