Torres hits Barcelona hat-trick against Real Betis in La Liga goalfest

Barcelona extend their lead at the top of La Liga to four points but Real Betis give defending champions a late scare.Published On 6 Dec 2025Ferran Torres hit a first-half hat-trick for Barcelona as they eased the woes on their travels with a 5-3 win in La Liga at Champions League chasing Real Betis.The Spanish forward netted twice in the first 13 minutes of the game on Saturday – but not before the Seville-based hosts had opened the scoring through former Manchester United winger Antony.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Jaiswal scores ton as Kohli, Rohit roll back the years for ODI series winlist 2 of 4Trump gets FIFA’s new peace prizelist 3 of 4Infantino’s ‘Peace Prize’ to Trump raises questions about FIFA’s neutralitylist 4 of 4Iranian delegation in the US for World Cup draw after threatening boycottend of listRoony Bardghji slid home Barca’s third from just inside the box in the 31st minute.Having netted with two close-range finishes early in the match, the second a well-executed volley, Torres then completed his hat-trick in the 40th minute with a deflected effort from outside the box.Lamine Yamal appeared to have settled the match from the penalty spot in the 59th minute after Barca were controversially awarded the kick for handball.Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford, a teammate of Antony’s for the entirety of the latter’s Old Trafford career, hit a drive from the edge of the box which struck the arm of Marc Bartra. Betis protested their man’s arm was tight to his body, which was struck first, but the referee was convinced, courtesy of a VAR intervention.Betis had a sting in the tail still to come when Fernando Llorente pulled one back with five minutes to play, while Cucho Hernandez converted a penalty in the final minute of normal time.Six minutes of added time, thereafter, was not enough for Betis to prize a tight finish and deny Barca their moment as they moved four points clear of Real Madrid, who play Celta Vigo on Sunday.