Yamal is 'best in the world,' says proud Flick

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick hailed Lamine Yamal as the best player in the world, as his dominant side routed 10-man Real Betis 5-2 on Saturday to return five points clear at the top of La Liga.

Atletico Madrid remains second after snatching a late 1-0 win at Espanyol, while Betis ended Saturday in third place, eight points adrift of the leader and one ahead of Real Madrid.

Teenage winger Yamal scored a brilliant goal for Barca, with Rodri, Gabriel Jesus, Eric Garcia and Dani Olmo also finding the net for the Spanish champion at La Cartuja Stadium in Seville.

Betis saw Facundo Bernal sent off for a headbutt on Yamal early in the second half of a pulsating clash.

Barca set a new club record for victories at the start of a league campaign and equaled the all-time record of nine, set by Real Madrid in the 1968-69 season. Flick's side boasts 11 wins from 11 games across all competitions.

Yamal, who is hoping to be crowned the world's best player at the Ballon d'Or ceremony later this month, got the ball rolling with a spectacular opener.

"I think it was an amazing match for the fans, and all the people who love football, it was amazing," Flick told reporters.

"Lamine today, when you see the first goal he scored, unbelievable, he is, for me, the best player in the world at the moment."

Yamal, 19, turned sharply on the edge of the box to escape Bernal and then curled an exquisite shot into the top corner in the 10th minute.

"(It was) an incredible goal, we've got used to him doing this lately, I have to say," Rodri told DAZN.

"In the end, players like that make the difference, but I try to focus on the other things he brings, (like) hard work, a lot of solidarity with the team, understanding the game and where he can find space."

Despite its irresistible attacking play, Barca's clear weakness under Flick has been its defense, and Betis was level before the half-hour mark through a Valentin Gomez header in the 27th minute.

Rodri put Barca back in front in the 41st with a header from a corner, before Giovani Lo Celso thought he had equalized in spectacular fashion for the host. However, much to the chagrin of Betis, the Argentine midfielder's long-range goal was ruled out for a handball by Cucho Hernandez earlier in the move.

Wild spell

Jesus extended Barca's lead six minutes into the second half from a Yamal cut-back, moments after having another goal chalked off for an offside.

Abde Ezzalzouli immediately pulled one back for Betis during a wild spell, and in the aftermath it was reduced to 10 men when Bernal was sent off.

Yamal was booked for his part in the confrontation, which involved several players from both sides.

Garcia finished from close range for Barca's fourth and Raphinha came off the bench after missing the previous two matches due to injury, with Flick taking off Yamal to prevent any potential suspension ahead of next weekend's Clasico.

"With the result as it was, we had to change him," said Flick. "I (told him) I'm very proud of him because he played a fantastic game."

Substitute Olmo finished the match off with a neat finish from the edge of the box as Betis backed off. The win allows Barca to turn its attention to turn to Europe, where it faces Champions League holder Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday.

Earlier, Alex Baena struck in the 89th minute to snatch a narrow win for Atletico at Espanyol.

The Spain international smashed home from the edge of the box to clinch an important victory for the Rojiblancos in a tight away game at the RCDE Stadium.

Atletico has won six consecutive games across all competitions.

Baena, who struggled last season but has been in fine fettle since winning the World Cup with Spain this summer, hugged coach Diego Simeone after finding the net.

"The World Cup took him to a different place, he sees football differently than others, and (now) he's more confident and stronger, he's the player we went looking for," Simeone told reporters after Baena's fifth league goal of the season.