Barcelona thrashed 10-man Actual Betis 4-0 on Saturday to maneuver a step nearer to successful La Liga for the primary time since 2019. Actual Madrid beat Almeria 4-2 to chop the hole to eight factors earlier on however Barcelona triumphed to revive their 11 level benefit. Andreas Christensen, Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha struck for Barca at Camp Nou with Guido Rodriguez netting a late personal aim to spherical off the rout.
Edgar Gonzalez’s early dismissal made it a straightforward night time for Xavi Hernandez’s facet to guard their lead with six video games remaining.
Along with his facet comfortably successful, Xavi introduced on 15-year-old ahead Lamine Yamal to grow to be the membership’s youngest ever participant to debut in La Liga.
Betis additionally introduced on veteran Joaquin Sanchez, 41, for his closing look at Camp Nou earlier than he retires on the finish of the season, and he was afforded a standing ovation by Barcelona supporters.
The Catalans bounced again from a 2-1 defeat by Rayo Vallecano in midweek.
“We generated a response,” mentioned Xavi. “We improved quite a bit, it was an excellent response from the entire group.
“We went 1-0 up and after the pink card, it was in our favour.”
Xavi introduced Christensen into the beginning line-up after damage and he made a rapid affect on his return.
Raphinha whipped in a vicious ball which Ronald Araujo narrowly missed however Christensen adopted in behind to energy a header house.
Betis had been set again additional when defender Edgar was dismissed for 2 bookings after half-an-hour.
Lewandowski pounced quickly after to web his nineteenth league aim of the season after Jules Kounde set him up with a low cross.
The Pole, La Liga’s prime scorer, reacted after Actual Madrid’s Karim Benzema earlier netted a hat-trick to maneuver inside certainly one of his tally.
Three minutes later Raphinha struck the third, making a intelligent run in behind the defence and ending from Sergio Busquets’ chipped go.
Xavi introduced on Ousmane Dembele with little over quarter-hour to go, with Camp Nou delighted to see the winger again.
Rodriguez deflected in Ansu Fati’s cross as Barcelona added a fourth aim within the 82nd minute.
Nearly 90,000 house supporters had been additionally handled to 15-year-old Yamal’s debut within the closing phases, and the winger got here near scoring with a shot repelled by Rui Silva.
“We had been speaking about