FC Barcelona maintain perfect start with win over Betis

MADRID: FC Barcelona extended its winning start to the La Liga season to nine matches with a 5-2 victory at Real Betis on Saturday.

The match represented Barcelona's toughest test so far, with Betis entering the day third in the table. Hansi Flick's side dominated early possession and opened the scoring after 10 minutes when Lamine Yamal curled a left-footed shot into the corner, leaving Betis goalkeeper Alvaro Valles with no chance.

Valentin Gomez equalized with a powerful header from Pablo Fornals' cross in the 27th minute, but Barcelona regained the lead in the 41st when Rodri headed home after Valles misjudged a corner.

Betis thought it had leveled again a minute later through Giovani Lo Celso's volley, but VAR ruled the strike out for a handball by Cucho Hernandez in the build-up.

Yamal set up Gabriel Jesus to score Barcelona's third in the 51st minute, and Betis responded through Abde Ezzalzouli just two minutes later.

Tensions flared when Betis midfielder Facundo Bernal was sent off following an altercation with Yamal, in which Bernal appeared to grab the forward by the neck before headbutting him.

With a one-player advantage, Barcelona took greater control. Eric Garcia added a fourth in the 62nd minute and Dani Olmo sealed the scoring with a strike in the 81st.

Elsewhere, Atletico Madrid remained five points behind Barcelona after Alex Baena's late 89th-minute goal earned a 1-0 win at Espanyol. Atletico had the better chances across the match, with Leandro Cabrera hitting the crossbar for Espanyol in the first half and Marcos Llorente striking the woodwork for the visitors after the break.

Valencia and Athletic Club played out a 0-0 draw. Athletic controlled possession, but Valencia created the clearer opportunities, all frustrated by Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon.

In a goalless contest, Elche goalkeeper Matias Dituro produced several important saves to deny Villarreal, who will feel it should have taken all three points.

On Friday night, Deportivo de La Coruna and Levante drew 1-1 after Dani Requena's 82nd-minute equalizer cancelled out Bil Nsongo's opening goal for Deportivo.