Lamine Yamal put on a spectacular show as Barcelona sailed into the Copa del Rey quarter-finals with a dazzling 5-1 victory over Real Betis on Wednesday. Atletico Madrid joined them in the last eight with a 4-0 win at second division Elche, their 15th consecutive triumph across all competitions. Barca’s 17-year-old starlet Yamal scored and helped create two more goals as Hansi Flick’s side ran riot at the Olympic Stadium. Gavi sent Barcelona ahead early on, with Jules Kounde, Raphinha, Ferran Torres and Yamal helping the Catalans rack up an impressive win.

After winning the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia last weekend by thrashing Real Madrid, Barca came into the cup clash with restored confidence, having stuttered in the final weeks of 2024.

“We have to continue like this,” said Barca defender Pau Cubarsi, also 17, who came through the club’s youth academy with Yamal.

“I’ve been enjoying watching him for many years, now the whole world is, and he deserves it all.”

Barca dominated from the off against Betis, despite the coach resting a couple of key players including striker Robert Lewandowski.

Dani Olmo, whom Barcelona controversially obtained a temporary playing license for last week, started at false nine in place of the Polish veteran.

The Spaniard helped create the opening goal at the sharp end of a neat team move, with Gavi tucking home in the second minute.

Olmo fired over and hit the post during a particularly busy opening period for the former RB Leipzig playmaker.

Kounde smashed in Barcelona’s second after the sublime Yamal dinked a ball through to him on the right of the box.

It was an area the Catalans exploited time after time, with Kounde’s second goal from a similar position disallowed for a marginal offside.

At the other end goalkeeper Inaki Pena made a fine save to deny Vitor Roque, on loan at Betis from Barcelona.

Gavi ‘big talent’

Early in the second half Yamal, who taunted Betis’ defence throughout, finished clinically after Frenkie De Jong lobbed the ball through to him on the right of the box, but it was disallowed for an offside in the build-up.

Minutes later Barcelona scored their third anyway, with Yamal’s surging run from deep in his own half ending up with his deflected effort falling to Raphinha, who struck.

Barcelona netted their fourth when, again exploiting the same part of Betis’ area, Olmo chipped a pass to substitute Ferran Torres to finish emphatically.

Yamal finally got on the scoresheet himself after breaking in from the right wing and finishing at the near post.

Roque pulled one back from the penalty spot in the final stages for Betis after Kounde stood on Jesus Rodriguez’s foot in the penalty area.

Gavi said after the game Yamal was the best player in the world after former Barca forward Lionel Messi, and Flick also praised the winger.

“Gavi’s very emotional, so I say also yes (he’s the best),” joked Flick.

“You can see it, in great matches you see big talent and he showed it many many times, he’s on a good (path).”

Yamal, who shone for Spain as they won Euro 2024 last summer, has nine goals and 13 assists across all competitions for Barcelona this season.

Atletico coach Diego Simeone rested some of his regular starters, including Antoine Griezmann, as his team ran out comfortable winners at Elche to continue their winning streak.

Alexander Sorloth struck twice for the Rojiblancos in the first half, and the visitors were further bolstered when Elche’s Nico Fernandez was sent off early in the second half.

Rodrigo Riquelme extended Atletico’s lead with a fine strike from distance and Julian Alvarez rounded off the rout.

On Thursday Spanish champions Real Madrid host Celta Vigo and cup holders Athletic Bilbao welcome Osasuna.

Barcelona vs Real Betis LIVE Streaming, Copa del Rey: Just three days after a spectacular Supercopa de Espana win, FC Barcelona face a tricky Round of 16 tie in the Copa del Rey against fellow La Liga side Real Betis. Barcelona enter the game on a tremendous high, having battered Real Madrid 5-2 in the Supercopa final, and will hope to carry on the good momentum against Betis, who sit 10th in La Liga. Barcelona will likely once again rely on their attack of Raphinha, Lamine Yamal and Robert Lewandowski. The two sides drew 2-2 in a tight league game earlier in the season, proving that it will be far from a walk in the park for the Catalan giants. Betis will pin their hopes on former Real Madrid midfielder Isco, with Argentine Giovani Lo Celso sidelined due to injury.

Here are the LIVE Streaming details for Barcelona vs Real Betis, Copa del Rey LIVE Telecast 2024/25 | Check Where and How to Watch

When will the Barcelona vs Real Betis, Copa del Rey match take place?

The Barcelona vs Real Betis, Copa del Rey match will take place on Thursday, January 16, 2025 (IST).

Where will the Barcelona vs Real Betis, Copa del Rey match be held?

The Barcelona vs Real Betis, Copa del Rey match will be held at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, Barcelona.

What time will the Barcelona vs Real Betis, Copa del Rey match start?

The Barcelona vs Real Betis, Copa del Rey match will start at 1:30 AM IST.

Which TV channels will show the live telecast of the Barcelona vs Real Betis, Copa del Rey match?

The Barcelona vs Real Betis, Copa del Rey match will not be televised live in India.

Where to follow the live streaming of the Barcelona vs Real Betis, Copa del Rey match?

The Barcelona vs Real Betis, Copa del Rey match will be live streamed on the FanCode app and website.

(All details are as per information provided by the broadcaster)

Real Betis vs Barcelona Live Streaming LaLiga Live Telecast: LaLiga leaders Barcelona face a tricky trip to Seville to take on an inconsistent Real Betis on Saturday at Estadio Benito Villamarin. Hansi Flick’s men aim to move seven points clear of Real Madrid, who take on high flyers Girona at Motilivi later in the day. For Betis, winger Abdessamad Ezzalzouli will miss the game against his former side due to an injury. The explosive wide man has been an important attacking outlet on the left for his team this season even though so far he has struggled to find the net, with just one league goal in 15 appearances.

Barcelona will once again rely on their teenage winger Lamine Yamal, who leads the league’s assists charts with eight contributions so far. The Catalans are yet to win a game without Yamal this league season, losing three times so far. Veteran striker Robert Lewandowski has rediscovered his goal-scoring form under Flick, and leads the scoring charts with 15 strikes so far.

When will the Real Betis vs Barcelona, La Liga 2024-25 football match take place?

The Real Betis vs Barcelona, La Liga 2024-25 football match will take place on Saturday, December 7 (IST).

Where will the Real Betis vs Barcelona, La Liga 2024-25 football match be held?

The Real Betis vs Barcelona, La Liga 2024-25 football match will be held at the Estadio Benito Villamarin, Seville, Spain.

What time will the Real Betis vs Barcelona, La Liga 2024-25 football match start?

The Real Betis vs Barcelona, La Liga 2024-25 football match will start at 8:45 PM IST.

Which TV channels will show the live telecast of the Real Betis vs Barcelona, La Liga 2024-25 football match?

The Real Betis vs Barcelona, La Liga 2024-25 football match will not be televised in India.

Where to follow the live streaming of the Real Betis vs Barcelona, La Liga 2024-25 football match?

The Real Betis vs Barcelona, La Liga 2024-25 football match will be live streamed on the GXR World app and website.

(All details are as per information provided by the broadcaster)

Real Madrid face Real Betis at the Bernabeu ahead of the international break.© AFP