Barcelona beat Betis 5-2 to match Real Madrid's nine-win La Liga start before Clasico

Barcelona beat Real Betis 5-2 at La Cartuja in Seville on Saturday 17 October, winning a ninth straight La Liga game to start the season. The result matched a record that Real Madrid have held since 1968-69 and left Barcelona top of the table with the Clasico at Camp Nou only days away.

Betis were still in the game until just past the hour. Barcelona then pulled clear in the closing half-hour, helped by a Betis red card. The Catalan club have now won all 11 of their matches in all competitions this season.

How the game unfolded

Lamine Yamal put Barcelona ahead in the 10th minute. Valentin Gomez pulled Betis level in the 27th minute, but Rodri restored the lead before the break with a header from a corner (41st minute).

Gabriel Jesus made it 3-1 early in the second half. Betis replied through Abde Ezzalzouli in the 53rd minute, then Eric Garcia scored from close range in the 62nd. Substitute Dani Olmo finished from the edge of the box in the 81st minute to complete the scoring.

The turning point came early in the second half. Betis midfielder Facundo Bernal was sent off for a headbutt on Yamal, who was booked in the same incident. Betis played the rest of the match with 10 men.

A record equalled

Nine wins from nine is the best start to a La Liga season in history, shared with Real Madrid's 1968-69 side. Barcelona are the second team to do it.

They lead the table on 27 points with a goal difference of plus 30. Atletico Madrid are second on 22 points and Real Madrid are third on 21. Real Madrid beat Sevilla 4-1 on Sunday, with Kylian Mbappe scoring twice.

Clasico on the horizon

Real Madrid, coached by Jose Mourinho in his first season in charge, visit Camp Nou on Sunday 25 October. The match kicks off at 9pm local time in Spain, which is 4am on Monday 26 October in Malaysia.

Yamal was taken off in Seville, with reports saying the move was meant to reduce the risk of another yellow card and a suspension before the Clasico. Raphinha also returned from injury as a substitute after missing two matches.

Before that, both teams have Champions League games this week. Barcelona play at Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday, and Real Madrid host RB Leipzig on Wednesday.

Why the numbers matter

Barcelona have scored four or more goals in a match eight times this season. The attack has driven the start, and Yamal, Jesus, Rodri, Garcia and Olmo all scored at La Cartuja.

For Betis, the defeat ended a six-match unbeaten run in all competitions. They had beaten Osasuna 5-2 on 11 October. Several regulars, including Isco, were reportedly rested for their Champions League match against Feyenoord on Wednesday.

The Clasico will show whether Madrid can close a six-point gap. For Barcelona, the aim is to keep an unbeaten record that now stands at 11 wins from 11.

Key takeaways

• Barcelona beat Betis 5-2 on 17 October and have won all nine of their La Liga games.
• That matches Real Madrid's 1968-69 record for the best start to a league season.
• Barcelona have 27 points, six more than third-placed Real Madrid.
• The Clasico at Camp Nou is on Sunday 25 October, 4am Monday in Malaysia.

FAQ

Q: What record did Barcelona equal? They matched Real Madrid's record of nine wins from the first nine La Liga matches of a season, set in 1968-69.

Q: When is the Clasico in Malaysia time? Barcelona host Real Madrid at Camp Nou on Sunday 25 October. Kick-off is 9pm in Spain, which is 4am on Monday 26 October in Malaysia.

Q: How many points separate the two clubs? Barcelona have 27 points and Real Madrid 21, after nine games each, so the gap is six points.

Sources: beIN Sports, Sports Mole, Football Web Pages, Lente Desportiva