Flick's Barcelona win 5-2 at Betis to match Real Madrid's 1968-69 record start

Barcelona extended their perfect start to the La Liga season with a 5-2 win at third-placed Real Betis at La Cartuja. Lamine Yamal put Hansi Flick's side ahead in the 10th minute, and after Valentin Gomez equalised, goals from Rodri, Gabriel Jesus, Eric Garcia and Dani Olmo sealed the win. Ez Abde also scored for Betis, whose Facundo Bernal was sent off in the second half for a challenge on Yamal.

The ninth win in nine league games, with 39 goals scored and nine conceded, puts Barcelona level with Real Madrid, who also won their first nine matches in 1968-69, the club said. "For me, he's currently the best player in the world," Flick said of Yamal, but added: "We're not fighting for records, but for titles." Flick said Eric Garcia thought he had only taken a knock, "but we have to wait."

Barcelona visit Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Tuesday before facing Real Madrid in El Clasico at Camp Nou next Sunday, Oct. 25, when a win would give them the best start in La Liga history outright.