Barcelona 5-1 Real Betis: Yamal inspires dominant cup win

Barcelona’s teenage prodigy inspired his side’s 5-1 victory over Real Betis in the Copa del Rey round of 16 on Wednesday, scoring once and also getting an assist.

The result itself never looked in doubt at any point during the match, with Gavi having got the hosts ahead after just three minutes – the midfielder found the net with a low strike from Dani Olmo’s assist.

Defender Jules Kounde then doubled Barca’s lead after 27 minutes, smashing home a close-range volley after Yamal had laid on a brilliant lobbed pass for him.

It was also a game in which the VAR had their work cut out, with two goals being disallowed for offside following Kounde’s. But Raphinha did eventually make it three on 58 minutes, converting from a transition that had been started by Yamal.

Ferran Torres then came off the bench to score the fourth and make it a rout in the 67th minute. Torres’ goal came from a strike inside the box after Olmo had crossed.

Yamal finally got the goal his performance deserved with 15 minutes to go in the match, converting after a quick counter-attack to make it 5-0.

The only disappointment in an otherwise-flawless performance for the hosts came in the 84th minute, with Vitor Roque netting a consolation from the penalty spot for Betis.

FULL TIME! #BarçaBetis pic.twitter.com/XHpKt4aSKx

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) January 15, 2025

Data debrief: Yamal inspires cup win

Yamal is now on 22 goal involvements (nine goals, 13 assists) in all competitions this season.

This fixture also represented the seventh time this season in all competitions in which Barcelona have scored three or more goals in a home game.

It also means they have netted five goals in back-to-back matches and their winning streak is extended to four games.