Barcelona player ratings vs Real Betis: Beware the shark! Hat-trick hero Ferran Torres and super-sub Joao Felix foil Isco-inspired hosts & keep Xavi afloat

Ferran Torres Barcelona 2023-24

Barcelona cruised through the first half, collapsed in the second, but salvaged a last-gasp winner to stay in La Liga title race in a chaotic contest with Real Betis. A Ferran Torres brace — reliant on expert setup play from Lamine Yamal — was nullified by a duo of quickfire goals from Isco. But the Blaugrana had the final word, Joao Felix bagging a 90th-minute winner to seal an eventual 4-2 win.

Barca exerted pressure from the outset and were good value for their opener. A fortunate deflection fell to the feet of Pedri, who squared to Torres for an easy finish. Lamine Yamal nearly made it two after 40 minutes, but smashed a shot off the post following a delightful run down the wing.

Torres added his second shortly after the break, with Yamal playing a crucial role. The winger started the play, before seeing his effort fall at the feet of Torres off the bar — who couldn’t miss from close range.

Betis pulled one back, though, with former Real Madrid star Isco bashing a volley into the roof of the net from 10 yards. He added a second shortly after, steering the ball over a sprawling Inaki Pena to equalise.

Both sides had their chances to win it late on, but Barca were more clincial. Felix poked an effort into the bottom corner to give his team the lead. Torres added a fourth in stoppage time from a wonderful Yamal assist to complete his hat-trick, and establish an unassailable margin. Barca remain in the title race — for now.

GOAL rates Barcelona’s players from Benito Villamarin…

Source

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

4 + fourteen =