With another goal from Robert Lewandowski and another victory, Barcelona reached the 50-point mark and continued to show its muscle ahead of the second half of the Spanish La Liga campaign.
Lewandowski ended his scoring drought in the tournament and helped Barca beat Real Betis 2-1 on Wednesday, extending their lead over Real Madrid at the top.
The Polish star made possible the sixth consecutive victory of the Catalan team in different competitions, by getting his first goal in La Liga since October.
He is the leading scorer in the league campaign with 14 goals. He returned after a three-game suspension for complaining to a referee in a game last year.
Raphinha opened the scoring for Barcelona, who now have an eight-point advantage over Real Madrid, second in the season and who will host Valencia this Thursday.
“We are leaders. We are solid on defense. We are working fine. The work pays off”, valued the Barcelona strategist Xavi. “Footballers compete. I think they played one of the best games of the season today. I am very satisfied”.
The two midweek games were postponed in January due to the teams’ participation in the Spanish Super Cup that was held in Saudi Arabia. Barcelona defeated Betis on penalties in the semifinals, before winning the trophy in the final against Madrid.
In the other semifinal, the meringues collided with Valencia and also advanced on penalties.
Betis have lost seven straight league matches at home to Barcelona, who have won eight in a row if the Super Cup victory over Betis is taken into account.
The Betic team remained in sixth place in the League, 19 points behind Barça itself. It is three points behind Atlético de Madrid, which is fourth and has the last ticket available for the Champions League.
Those led by Chilean Manuel Pellegrini have won just one of their last five games in all competitions.
Raphinha put Barcelona ahead with a touch in front of the goal, after a cross that Alejandro Balde lavished on him from the left in the 65th minute.
Lewandowski extended the lead with a shot inside the area at 80. Betis closed thanks to an own goal from defender Jules Koundé at 85.
The triumph came after Barcelona closed the winter transfer period without signings to reinforce its squad.
On the day, the club stated that the signing of Mexican right-back Julián Araujo had been lost because he delivered the documentation for his transfer 18 seconds late.
