Real Betis 3-5 Barcelona: Ferran Torres scores first half hat-trick as Roony Bardghji and Lamine Yamal also on scoresheet

Ferran Torres scored his second La Liga hat-trick as Barcelona ran riot to move four points clear at the top of the table despite a late Real Betis comeback in a thrilling 5-3 victory.

Barca boss Hansi Flick opted to make three changes from the side which beat Atletico Madrid 3-1 in midweek, with Torres and Marcus Rashford replacing Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha, and Roony Bardghji making just his third start of the season in place of the injured Dani Olmo.

Flick's changes were fully justified within 45 minutes as Barca outclassed Manuel Pellegrini’s side, despite being forced to come from behind after an early Antony goal.

Real Betis were the only side to deny Barca a win last season, and it looked to be heading a similar way when Abde Ezzalzouli’s diagonal ball ran into the path of Pablo Fornals and he threaded through Antony who, on the turn, smashed his effort into the roof of the net inside six minutes.  

Betis were not given long to bask in their opener as Jules Kounde connected with Lamine Yamal’s through-ball and set up Torres, who flicked his effort past Alvaro Valles to put his side level.

The Spain international scored a second minutes later when Bardghji whipped in a cross from the right-hand side for Torres to volley home.

Bardghji made it three for the visitors just after 30 minutes when Pedri played the Swede through on goal, with the 20-year-old claiming his first La Liga goal since his move in the summer.

Torres completed his hat-trick shortly before half-time as he scored with a deflected effort from the outside of the box.

All hope of a comeback died just 10 minutes into the second half when VAR called the referee over to the screen after Rashford’s shot hit the hip and arm of former Barcelona player Marc Bartra and, despite both managers appearing to be in agreement, the referee would ultimately point to the spot, with Yamal sending Valles the wrong way to put Barca 5-1 ahead.

Real Betis thought they had pulled a goal back on 79 minutes when Pablo Garcia played in Cucho Hernandez, before the flag was raised for offside, but there was late drama as substitute Diego Llorente poked home from a corner.

Rashford came close to grabbing Barcelona’s sixth goal of the game when he failed to convert from a one-on-one, but it was Real Betis who would claim a late goal as Kounde was penalised for a foul in the penalty box, with Cucho converting from the spot.

Second-placed Real Madrid play Celta Vigo on Sunday, while Real Betis remain fifth in the standings after the defeat.

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Surely they couldn't, could they?

Jules Kounde was also booked for his involvement in that penalty.

This is a surprise finale as Cucho Hernandez converts from the spot.

Real Betis are handed another late chance at redemption as Jules Kounde fouls Abde in the box and Betis have a penalty.

Ricardo Rodriguez replaces Junior Firpo due to injury.

Valentin Gomez is the next Betis player to go into the referee's book, whilst Manuel Pellegrini is also shown the yellow card.

How did Marcus Rashford miss that?!

He through on goal and just has the goalkeeper to navigate as he goes one-on-one with Valles, but Rashford manages to get it all wrong and see his shot go wide of the far post.

Real Betis have a late consolation as a corner comes into the box and finds Diego Llorente at the back post, who pokes home from close range.

Jofre Torrents comes on for Eric Garcia.

Real Betis have the ball in the back of the net as Pablo Garcia plays in Cucho Hernandez, who taps home but the flag is raised for offside.

VAR confirms the decision but it's tight.

It's a lovely bit of trickery by Lamine Yamal to set up Fermin Lopez, but he's completely scuffed his lines and sees his effort roll well wide of the target.

Pablo Gacia replaces Antony, who provided Betis with hope inside six minutes before a catastrophic unravelling at the hands of Barca.

So close to getting his fourth as Lamine Yamal whips in a dangerous cross in front of the face of goal and Ferran Torres is unable to get a toe to it for an easy tap-in.

But Real Betis are having a spell of their best play as they look for a dignified performance.

Abde sees his effort blocked and goes out for a corner, whilst Antony forces Joan Garcia into the save at the near post.

Fermin Lopez comes on to replace Roony Bardghji, who netted his first La Liga goal in stunning fashion in the first half.

Another booking for Aitor Ruibal for dissent as Abde Ezzalzouli collides with Joan Garcia outside of the box.

There are protests by the home fans and players but the referee wants none of it.

Frenkie de Jong and Marc Bernal come on to replace Pedri and Gerard Martin.

Nelson Deossa was booked for his protests after that penalty.