FC Barcelona extended their lead at the top of LaLiga EA Sports 2025/26 thanks to another thrashing against Real Betis (3-5). Hansi Flick's men, for the third consecutive matchday, came back from a first-half deficit to end up crushing the 'Verdiblancos' with goals from Ferran Torres ('hat-trick'), Roony Bardghji, and Lamine Yamal.
With the victory, Barça becomes the first team to reach the 40-point mark, with one more game played than their immediate pursuers, Real Madrid (36) and Villarreal (35). The 'Merengues' host Celta on Sunday at the Santiago Bernabéu (21:00 CEST) and, if they win, will get back to within 1 point of the Catalans.
The Catalans also boast, by far, the best offense in the tournament, with 47 goals scored in 16 matches (2.93 per game). Additionally, they have six consecutive wins in the tournament and the same number of comebacks this season, more than any other Spanish club.
LaLiga EA Sports 2025/26 Standings - Matchday 15
| Pos. | Club | PJ | PTS | DG |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1️⃣ | FC Barcelona | 16 | 40 | 27 |
| 2️⃣ | Real Madrid | 15 | 36 | 19 |
| 3️⃣ | Villarreal | 15 | 35 | 18 |
| 4️⃣ | Atlético | 16 | 31 | 13 |
| 5️⃣ | Betis | 15 | 24 | 6 |
| 6️⃣ | Espanyol | 14 | 24 | 2 |
Barça's Comeback and 'Handful' Against Betis at La Cartuja
On Saturday, Flick's team started losing with a goal from Antony in the 6th minute. However, Ferran Torres scored a brace in just 112 seconds, in the 11th and 13th minutes, to turn the score around. Roony Bardghji extended the lead in the 31st minute, and the 'Shark' sealed his hat-trick with another goal in the 40th minute.
**Lamine Yamal**, from the penalty spot, scored Barça's fifth goal in the 59th minute. With the match decided and feeling the effects of a very intense first half, the Catalans eased off the gas in the final stretch. This allowed Betis to score two goals through **Diego Llorente and Cucho Hernández**, in the 85th and 90th minutes, the latter also from a penalty
Matchday 15 kicked off on Friday with a goalless draw between Mallorca and Oviedo. On Saturday, early on, Villarreal defeated Getafe (2-0) and, before the Betis-Barça match, Alavés secured a narrow victory against Real Sociedad (1-0). At the close of Saturday's fixtures, Athletic defeats Atlético at San Mamés (1-0).
On Sunday, in addition to Real Madrid-Celta, Elche-Girona, Valencia-Sevilla, and Espanyol-Rayo will be played. Matchday 15 of LaLiga concludes on Monday with Osasuna-Levante. Before the Christmas break, matchdays 16 and 17 remain to be played.
All the results from LaLiga Matchday 15
- Mallorca 0-0 Real Oviedo (Friday)
- Villarreal 2-0 Getafe (Saturday)
- Alavés 1-0 Real Sociedad (Saturday)
- Betis 3-5 Barcelona (Saturday)
- Athletic 1-0 Atlético (Saturday)
- Elche vs Girona (Sunday, 2:00 PM CEST)
- Valencia vs Sevilla (Sunday, 4:15 PM CEST)
- Espanyol vs Rayo (Sunday, 6:30 PM CEST)
- Real Madrid vs Celta (Sunday, 9:00 PM CEST)
- Osasuna vs Rayo (Monday, 9:00 PM CEST)