Barcelona delivered a crushing 4-0 victory over a depleted Real Betis facet, who had been decreased to 10 males and ultimately 9 males, thereby edging nearer to clinching their first La Liga title since 2019.
Real Madrid beat Almeria 4-2 to chop the hole to eight factors earlier on however Barcelona triumphed to revive their 11-point benefit.
Andreas Christensen, Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha struck for Barca at Camp Nou with Guido Rodriguez netting a late personal purpose 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.
With his facet comfortably successful, Xavi introduced on 15-year-old ahead Lamine Yamal to turn out 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 reaction,” mentioned Xavi. “We improved lots, it was an excellent response from the entire group.
“We went 1-0 up and after the red card, it was in our favor.”
Xavi introduced Christensen into the beginning line-up after damage and he made a fast affect on his return.
Raphinha whipped in a vicious ball which Ronald Araujo narrowly missed however Christensen adopted in behind to energy a header residence.
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 purpose of the season after Jules Kounde set him up with a low cross.
The Pole, La Liga’s prime scorer, reacted after Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema earlier netted a hat-trick to maneuver inside one in every of his tally.
Three minutes later Raphinha struck the third, making a intelligent run in behind the protection and ending from Sergio Busquets’ chipped cross.
Xavi introduced on Ousmane Dembele with just a 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 purpose within the 82nd minute.
Almost 90,000 residence supporters had been additionally handled to 15-year-old Yamal’s debut within the closing levels, and the winger got here near scoring with a shot repelled by Rui Silva.
“We were talking about this on the bench when I was 15 I think I was playing for my neighborhood team,” added Raphinha.
“And seeing him come on in this stadium, with all these people, is incredible.”
Stylish Madrid
Benzema climbed to 17 objectives in La Liga this season together with his treble, now two behind Lewandowski.
Benzema netted his treble within the first half and Rodrygo added the fourth early within the second for Madrid, whereas Lazaro and Lucas Robertone struck for the guests, within the fifteenth.
Almeria coach Rubi made a number of adjustments to his common facet, clearly unconvinced his group might take factors from the Santiago Bernabeu – the go to of Elche on Tuesday must be extra worthwhile of their survival bid.
Madrid performed with freedom in assault throughout an entertaining recreation, albeit one low on pressure with their hopes of retaining the title minimal.
“In attack, the team is very dangerous, with the quality of Karim, Vini, Rodrygo, with the ball we play very well,” coach Carlo Ancelotti instructed reporters.
“There are games where the offensive level looks very good, like today.”
Vinicius Junior teed up Benzema for a tap-in to interrupt the impasse early on.
Rodrygo’s help for Benzema’s second purpose was one of many highlights of the sport, with the ahead backheeling the ball to himself to flee Samuel Costa.
“I think it was a pass to myself, I didn’t have anywhere to go, it was a nice pass to myself with my heel,” Rodrygo instructed DAZN.
The 35-year-old Benzema accomplished his hat-trick after 42 minutes from the penalty spot after Largie Ramazani clumsily fouled Lucas Vazquez.
Benzema’s strikes helped him transfer two objectives forward of former Madrid attacker Hugo Sanchez to turn out to be the fourth prime scorer in La Liga of all time, with 236 objectives.
Vinicius made manner within the closing levels after taking a knock however Ancelotti mentioned the winger could be match to play within the Copa del Rey closing subsequent weekend.
Bottom facet Elche survived relegation in the meanwhile with a 4-0 win over Rayo Vallecano, who had been decreased to 10 males within the first half.
Source: www.dailysabah.com
