First Half – Fire from the Start
From the kickoff, Barça played like a team possessed. The first touch of the ball went to Pedri, who calmly switched play to Balde, and from there, the team exploded forward.
Real Betis barely had time to set their line before Luca had already made his first run in behind. De Jong fed him a through ball, and Luca used his pace to cut past Bellerín and whip in a low cross. Lewandowski slid in — just inches away.
5th minute – CLOSE!
Pedri dropped a diagonal ball over the top. Lamine took it down with a magical touch, nutmegged a defender, and squared it. Luca, surging in at the back post, rattled the bar with a half-volley. The crowd gasped.
Barça kept pushing. Fermin López was everywhere — pressing, passing, fighting. Szczęsny barely had a touch in the first ten minutes as the defenders camped on the halfway line.
13th minute – GOOOOAL!
It started with a bit of chaos — De Jong intercepted a loose pass, quickly gave it to Pedri, who turned and spotted Lamine darting down the right. One touch, two defenders gone. Lamine drilled it low across the face of goal, and Luca timed his run perfectly.
With the calmness of a veteran, Luca opened his body and side-footed it into the top netting. The stadium exploded.
1–0.
Luca ran to the corner flag, arms wide. Lamine caught up and jumped on his back. "That's how we do it!"
Flick clapped calmly on the sideline, but a smirk tugged at the edge of his mouth.
23rd minute – GOOOOAL!
This time, it was Luca's creativity. He dropped deep to collect the ball from Fort, turned past his marker, and with one look up, curled a beauty of a cross into the box. Lewandowski didn't need an invitation — he towered above his man and smashed the header home.
2–0.
The chemistry was electric. Lewa jogged to Luca and ruffled his hair. "You've got vision, kid."
Betis looked shell-shocked. Koundé and Cubarsí controlled everything at the back, and Szczęsny had nothing to do. Fort and Balde provided width and support, flying up the flanks like wingers.
33rd minute – Almost another!
Pedri and Lamine exchanged a triangle of quick passes before the ball reached Luca again. He flicked it behind the defense with the outside of his boot — Lewa's shot was blocked at the last second.
Barça was dancing. The fans were on their feet.
Second Half – Same Pressure, Same Purpose
No changes at halftime. Flick trusted the momentum.
Betis came out with a slightly higher line — and regretted it instantly. Lamine and Luca thrived on space. Fermin nearly added a third in the 49th minute with a rocket that skimmed the post.
56th minute – Off the post!
Luca again, played in by De Jong, took on his man with a stepover and shot near post. The keeper got a fingertip. The ball kissed the woodwork.
65th minute – Sub incoming
Flick looked to the bench. Ferran Torres began warming up.
Luca saw the signal and nodded. He had given everything — but he wasn't done yet.
69th minute – One last magic moment
Pedri picked up the ball in midfield. Luca made a diagonal run, pulled two defenders with him, then dragged it back and cut inside. With a cheeky toe poke, he slipped a pass into the path of Lewandowski. One touch, one goal.
3–0.
Lewandowski turned and pointed straight at Luca. "Brilliant."
70th minute – Substitution
Luca walked off to a standing ovation. Ferran clapped him on the back. Flick pulled him in for a quick word.
"You did everything we asked for — and more."
Luca sat on the bench next to Lamine, breathing hard but smiling wide.
Final Moments – Absolute Control
Barça didn't let up. Fort had a clearance off the line. Szczęsny made one good save in the 83rd minute, diving low to his left.
But the final minutes were all about possession. De Jong toyed with Betis. Pedri sprayed passes. Ferran almost added a fourth.
When the final whistle blew, the scoreboard read:
Barcelona 3 – 0 Real Betis
Post-Match
In the locker room, it was all high-fives and music. Lamine cranked the speaker with Spanish reggaeton. Fermin danced around in socks. Lewa patted Luca on the back. "That's the game I want to see from a young star."
Flick gave a short speech:
"We dominated from the first touch to the final whistle. This wasn't just a win. This was identity. And our identity is control. It's pressure. It's flair. Everyone, be proud."
Online Reactions
@FCBarcelona:
"𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹, 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀, 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝘆. A dominant 3–0 win takes us to the Copa Quarterfinals. #ForçaBarça"
@LaMasiaDNA:
"Lamine and Luca are cooking 🔥. This duo will be haunting defenses for years to come."
@FootballEspana:
"Barcelona are reloading with an entirely new generation. And it's working."