Second-half goals from Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski sealed a 2-1 win away at Real Betis on Wednesday as Barcelona moved eight points clear of Real Madrid at the top of the LaLiga standings.
Raphinha opened the scoring from close range in the 65th minute and Lewandowski added his 23rd of the season in all competitions 10 minutes from time to seal the three points. Barcelona defender Jules Kounde‘s late own goal gave Betis hope, but the home side could not find an equaliser despite applying pressure in the final stages of the game.
Barca’s winning streak in LaLiga now stands at four games and they are building a healthy lead over second-placed Real Madrid, who host Valencia on Thursday with the chance to cut the gap.
JUMP TO: Best/worst performers | Highlights & notable moments | Postgame quotes | Key stats | Upcoming fixtures
Rapid reaction
1. No clean sheet but Barcelona keep rolling closer to points record
Barca had won their last three league games 1-0 heading into Wednesday’s game at the Estadio Benito Villamarin, and that scoreline looked likely again when Raphinha gave them a second-half lead after quick thinking from Frenkie de Jong to take a smart free kick and good work from Alejandro Balde.
Lewandowski then doubled Barca’s lead in the 80th minute. The Polish striker had looked off all night to that point — and has done since the World Cup — but he reacted quickly to a loose ball in the box to find the back of the net in the 80th minute. Only Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe, with 31 and 25 goals respectively, have scored more than in him in all competitions from teams in Europe’s top five leagues.
