FC Barcelona passed another test in La Liga over Real Betis on their turf to open up a considerable gap to chasing Real Madrid.
Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski scored goals for the visitors during the 2-1 win with Jules Kounde giving Betis brief hope of an equaliser with an own goal.
The win sees Barcelona stretch the gap over Real Madrid to 8 points with 50 from 19 games while Betis sits sixth with 31 points.
Despite controlling the game, Xavi Hernandez’s side could not find a way past Rui Silva for most of the game. The Portuguese denied Pedri on three separate occasions from gilt-edged chances to keep his side in the contest for as long as possible.
Raphinha, who had a goal disallowed for offside in the first half, finally broke the deadlock in the 65th minute when he tapped in a perfectly placed Alejandro Balde cross.
Lewandowski, returning from his three-game suspension, doubled his side’s lead in the 80th minute when a corner fell to his feet before the Polish striker blasted a shot past Silva in Betis’ goal.
The home side had one final moment of reprieve when Kounde chested a ball into his own net five minutes later while trying to clear a Youssouf Sabaly cross but his side held on for another close win.
Madrid will have the chance to cut the leaders’ lead when they face Valencia tomorrow.
