Ferran Torres scored a first-half hat-trick as Barcelona defeated Real Betis 5-3 in LaLiga on Saturday, recovering quickly from an early setback to strengthen their lead at the top of the table.
Betis stunned the visitors in the sixth minute when Antony opened the scoring, but Barcelona responded immediately. Torres struck twice in quick succession, putting Barça 2-1 ahead by the 13th minute. Roony Bardghji then extended the lead just after the half-hour mark with his first LaLiga goal for the club, before Torres completed his hat-trick.
Lamine Yamal converted a penalty to make it 5-1, seemingly putting the game beyond doubt. Betis, however, continued to press, with Diego Llorente heading in from a corner in the 85th minute and Cucho Hernández scoring a penalty five minutes later.
The late surge was not enough to unsettle Barcelona, who secured the win and moved four points clear of Real Madrid after 16 matches, sitting top of the standings on 40 points.
