Barcelona kept pace with La Liga’s top two by securing a victory over a determined Real Betis, with Ferran Torres scoring a precise hat-trick.
Torres secured two close-range goals in the 21st and 48th minutes, propelling Barcelona into the lead before Real Betis mounted a comeback. Isco surprised Xavi’s team with two quick goals in three minutes.
However, Barcelona regained the advantage with Joao Felix’s stylish strike in the 90th minute, just before Torres completed his hat-trick by breaking free and firing home.
Despite their dominance, Barcelona remains eight points behind league leaders Girona, who defeated Sevilla 5-1, and seven points adrift of second-placed Real Madrid.
Barcelona initially took control when Torres tapped in a cross from Pedri, and they were unlucky not to extend their lead further, having two goals disallowed just before halftime. Torres scored his second early in the second half, volleying in the rebound after Lamine Yamal’s shot hit the post.
Isco narrowed the gap in the 56th minute with a splendid half-volley, taking advantage of a mistake by goalkeeper Inaki Pena, who struggled to handle a cross.
Despite a raised offside flag, the former Real Madrid forward equalized by latching onto a ball over the top and delicately chipping it over Pena.
Betis appeared poised to secure a hard-fought draw as the match approached its conclusion, but Barcelona struck late on two occasions. Substitute Felix, currently on loan from Atletico Madrid, engaged in a one-two with Torres before skillfully curling the ball into the corner using the outside of his boot.
In the second minute of added time, Torres added the finishing touch to the result by converting a counter-attack, marking his first La Liga hat-trick.