FC Barcelona has taken the next big step to the championship title. The Catalans won 4-0 (3-0) against Real Betis Sevilla on Saturday night and defended their lead of eleven points over pursuers Real Madrid. The “Royal” had previously redeemed themselves for the severe bankruptcy in Girona thanks to a hat-trick by Karim Benzema and won 4-2 (3-1) against promoted UD Almería.
Benzema scored the first three goals (5th, 17th and 42nd with a penalty kick). For the “Ballon d’Or” winner, it was hits 234 to 236 in LaLiga. Benzema thus moved past Hugo Sánchez (234) in the all-time top scorers list to fourth. He is only ahead of Telmo Zarra (251), Cristiano Ronaldo (311) and Lionel Messi (474).
Rodrygo also scored for Real (47′), Lázaro (45′ + 1′) and Lucas Robertone (61′) were successful for Almería. Last Tuesday, coach Carlo Ancelotti’s team was embarrassed with the 2: 4 at FC Girona. The German duo of Toni Kroos and Antonio Rüdiger started against Almería. Luka Modric, on the other hand, was absent with a hamstring injury.
Ter Stegen equals record at FC Barcelona
Andreas Christensen (14th), former Bayern star Robert Lewandowski (36th), Raphinha (39th) and Betis professional Guido Rodríguez (82nd) scored for Barcelona with their own goals. For DFB goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen it was the 24th game without conceding on matchday 32 – a club record alongside Andoni Zubizarreta (1986/87 in 44 games). The 31-year-old also matched 21st-century records in the top five leagues, drawing level with Petr Cech (2004/05 for Chelsea in 35 games) and Jan Oblak (2015/16 for Atlético Madrid in 38 games). . Ter Stegen is just two more clean games away from Francisco Liaño’s LaLiga record (1993/94 for Deportivo La Coruna).
Since 2000: Most clean sheets in a top five league season
14 Vincent Enyeama (2013/14) | 38 games for Lille | to zero: 21
In the final stages, youngster Lamine Yamal also made his professional debut for Barça. The right winger came on in the 83rd minute and Gavi (18) left the field for him. At 15 years, nine months and 16 days, Yamal became the youngest Barça professional in LaLiga and the fifth youngest debutant in the Spanish top flight. The list is headed by Luka Romero (18), who was 15 years, seven months and six days old when he made his first appearance for RCD Mallorca in 2020.
Barça coach Xavi: Youngster Yamal can become a “special player”.
Coach Xavi praised Yamal. The 43-year-old began his own great career in the legendary Catalan youth department “La Masia” – just like the 15-year-old offensive talent now. “He can become a very special player,” said Xavi after beating Real Betis 4-0. “I told him to try something,” Xavi continued. “And boy did he do that at 15 years old, imagine that. He almost scored another goal and almost submitted one.”
FC Barcelona: The most valuable La Masia graduates
Ansu Fati (Spain – FC Barcelona – market value: €60M)
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