Barcelona continued their remarkable start to the La Liga season with a 5-2 victory over Real Betis.
Betis had arrived in third place and showed why they have been among the league’s best sides so far this season. But a cruel call by the referee disallowed their second equaliser late in the first half and their task became much harder after Facundo Bernal was sent off after the break.
With victory in Seville, Barcelona claimed their ninth successive league win and matched a record set by Real Madrid in the 1968-69 campaign.
Hansi Flick’s side have now scored 39 goals in nine league games. Lamine Yamal led the way here with a superb opening goal and an assist for Gabriel Jesus. Rodri, Eric Garcia and substitute Dani Olmo were also on target.
On minute 10, Yamal cut inside from the right and created space for a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area. His curling effort flew into the top corner, leaving goalkeeper Alvaro Valles with little chance.
Just what we came for. https://t.co/75s1vdtTjI
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) October 17, 2026
Barcelona continued to dominate possession but Betis were soon level. Pablo Fornals collected the ball after a corner had not been properly cleared and delivered a cross into the box, finding Valentin Gomez, who rose above the defence to head past Joan Garcia.
The hosts grew in confidence after the equaliser, but Barcelona regained the lead four minutes before half-time. Fermin Lopez delivered a corner into the area, where Rodri took advantage of hesitation in the Betis defence to power a header into the net for his first goal for the Catalan club.
Betis responded almost immediately when Giovani Lo Celso produced a superb volley from outside the box. However, the goal was ruled out after Cucho Hernandez was penalised for a handball that was far too early in the sequence of play. Betis coach Manuel Pellegrini was disgusted.
In the second half, Jesus initially thought he had doubled Barcelona’s lead when he finished a Yamal cross, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside. But then in the 51st minute, Yamal again made the difference down the right, driving forward before cutting the ball back into the penalty area. Jesus met the pass and finished neatly to extend the lead this time.
Betis responded almost at once. Ez Abde broke forward on the counter-attack and sent a low shot inside the right post to reduce the deficit to one goal.
The goal raised hopes of another comeback, but those hopes were dealt a serious blow moments later. A confrontation involving Yamal and Bernal ended with the Betis midfielder shown a straight red card for a headbutt. Yamal was also booked for his part in the incident.
A man up, Barcelona began to find more room in the final third. They restored their two-goal cushion in the 63rd minute after Valles failed to deal with a free-kick from Yamal. Pau Cubarsi headed the loose ball back across goal, allowing Eric Garcia to finish from close range.
Betis continued to look for a way back, but Barcelona had greater control of the game against the 10 men. Flick’s side kept pushing forward and eventually added a fifth goal in the 81st minute through Dani Olmo, who had come off the bench.
