View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Soccer Laduma (@soccer_laduma)

Torres nets hat-trick to keep Barca in title race

Ferran Torres bagged a hat-trick for FC Barcelona, who recorded a 4-2 victory away to Real Betis on Sunday night.

Pau Cubarsi, Sergi Roberto, Ilkay Gundogan and Pedri were preferred from the team that edged Unionistas CF in the Copa del Rey on Thursday evening.

Barcelona surged ahead after the 20th minute when Pedri nudged off a loose pass to roll across to the area for Ferran Torres to steer past Rui Silva.

Former Real Madrid midfielder Isco looked to level it up with a half-volley off mis-placed possession from the Catalans, but Inaki Pena produced a rasping save to keep him out.

Barca bounced back from the slight scare and saw Lamine Yamal nudge a ball from Gundogan outside the area and curled against the inside post.

Two changes by Manuel Pellegrini at the break saw Borja Iglesias and Nabil Fekir replace Willian Jose and Assane Diao.

However, Barca remained in control two minutes from the break as a burst of speed from Jules Kounde resulted in a shot that crashed off the upright allowing Torres to dispatch the rebound.

Betis pulled one back nine minutes later after Pena punched a floated cross from Luiz Henrique straight at Isco who capitalised to volley in the roof of the net.

Isco was at it again two minutes later when he rushed onto another ball by Henrique to place a looping shot over Pena, with the goal awarded on the Video Assistant Referee's (VAR) assistance.

After a quiet spell, Barca regained the lead in the last minute to full-time through a curling finish from substitute Joao Felix following Torres' pass.

Torres turned up again deep in added time when he completed a hat-trick after charging into the area to guide in Yamal's cross-field supply and saw the Catalans record a thumping victory.

You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.

Click HERE to register!

Related tags

Comments