Barcelona Beat 10-Man Betis 5-2 to Equal Record Nine-Win La Liga Start

Barcelona beat Real Betis 5-2 at La Cartuja in Seville on Saturday, October 17. It was their ninth win in nine La Liga matches. That equals the best start to a La Liga season in history, set by Real Madrid in 1968-69. It is also a new Barcelona club record for wins at the start of a league season. Hansi Flick's side are five points clear at the top.

Lamine Yamal scored a brilliant opening goal. Rodri, Gabriel Jesus, Eric García and Dani Olmo scored the other four. Betis were level before the half-hour mark. Barcelona's defence has been their one clear weakness under Flick, and it showed again.

The game turned early in the second half. Betis midfielder Facundo Bernal was sent off for a headbutt on Yamal. Yamal was also booked for his part in the clash. Barcelona restored a two-goal lead in the 62nd minute. Pau Cubarsí beat the Betis goalkeeper to a cross, and substitute Eric García tapped in.

Betis coach Manuel Pellegrini was unhappy with the decisions. Giovani Lo Celso had a long-range goal ruled out for a handball by Cucho Hernández earlier in the move. Pellegrini said that goal and the red card decided the game. Former Barcelona defender Héctor Bellerín said a couple of unfair decisions went against Betis. Betis rested several players, including Isco, before their Champions League game against Feyenoord on Wednesday. They are third, eight points behind the leaders.

Flick called Yamal the best player in the world right now. It was the eighth time this season that Barcelona have scored four or more goals in a match. They now have 11 wins from 11 games in all competitions. Raphinha returned to action as a substitute. Flick took Yamal off after the clash with Bernal, so there was no risk of further trouble. Eric García, Gerard Martín and Jules Koundé all picked up knocks.

Atlético Madrid won 1-0 at Espanyol earlier in the day and are second, five points behind Barcelona. Real Madrid, fourth, host Sevilla on Sunday. Barcelona face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Tuesday.