Trending 
Barcelona forward Ferran Torres inspired the club to an emphatic 5-3 win away to Real Betis with a stunning first-half hat-trick on Saturday, extending the Catalans’ lead at the top of La Liga to four points.
Hansi Flick’s side dominated proceedings in Seville, with Lamine Yamal and Roony Bardghji also on the scoresheet in a match that only became uncomfortable thanks to two late Betis goals.
Second-placed Real Madrid will attempt to close the gap on Sunday when they host Celta Vigo, while third-placed Villarreal kept the pressure on the leading pair with a victory of their own.
Elsewhere, Atletico Madrid’s stuttering form continued as they slipped to a second defeat in the space of a week, losing 1-0 away to Athletic Bilbao.
Diego Simeone’s team now sit nine points adrift of Barcelona after an impressive unbeaten run came to an abrupt halt.
Having edged Atletico in midweek, Barcelona showed no signs of easing off as they built on that result with another clinical display.
Flick made several changes with one eye on Tuesday’s Champions League tie against Eintracht Frankfurt, giving Bardghji a start on the right and deploying Torres centrally instead of Robert Lewandowski. Yamal was also shifted into a more central attacking role and thrived.
Betis struck first when former Manchester United winger Antony found space to fire in after Jules Koundé failed to play him offside.
The Frenchman quickly redeemed himself, however, by delivering the cross that Torres converted to level the match minutes later.
Torres put Barcelona in front soon after, once again finishing confidently from a Bardghji ball, before the young Swede made it 3-1 himself with a composed finish after Pedri surged through midfield.
Torres completed his treble shortly before the interval when his effort took a deflection and wrong-footed goalkeeper Álvaro Valles.
The forward, now on 11 league goals and second only to Kylian Mbappé in the scoring charts, declared after the match that he was determined to keep delivering at the club.
Barcelona continued to dominate after the break, and Yamal added a fifth from the penalty spot following a controversial handball decision against Marc Bartra.
Both Yamal and Marcus Rashford passed up further chances before a lapse in concentration allowed Betis back into the game.
Diego Llorente reduced the deficit from a corner which Barcelona defended poorly, before Jules Koundé conceded a clumsy late penalty that Cucho Hernández dispatched.
The goals proved mere consolation as Barcelona comfortably held on.
In Bilbao, Athletic produced a dramatic late winner to deepen Atletico’s slump, with Alex Berenguer curling in from long range five minutes from time at a vibrant San Mamés.
The defeat leaves Simeone’s side reeling after their 13-match unbeaten stretch was ended by Barcelona earlier in the week.
Atletico had opportunities to score but were ultimately undone by a moment of brilliance. Simeone admitted home advantage often brings extra bravery, while conceding that his side had been punished for failing to take their chances.
Villarreal, meanwhile, sustained their strong push towards the summit with a 2-0 victory over Getafe. Tajon Buchanan broke the deadlock before the interval, and Getafe’s task became harder when Luis Milla was dismissed early in the second half following a confrontation with the Canadian.
Georges Mikautadze doubled Villarreal’s lead midway through the half, moving Marcelino’s side within touching distance of Real Madrid and confirming their fine run of form.
The Yellow Submarine have now won six league matches in a row and remain unbeaten since October.
Marcelino admitted such momentum would not last forever, but emphasised that every point gained was invaluable in the title race.
