Not content with defeating arch-rivals Real Madrid in the Supercopa de Espana final over the weekend, Barcelona moved into the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey with a 5-1 win over visitors Real Betis last night.

It was an outstanding performance that saw Barca give their opponents little chance and reminded their fans why they were considered one of the strongest teams in Europe at the start of this season.

Gavi, Jules Kounde, Raphinha, Ferran Torres and Lamine Yamal all scored before their on-loan striker Vitor Roque equalized for Betis from the penalty spot in the final minutes.

Hansi Flick’s side will find out their quarter-final opponents on Monday, but after this recent run of games they are in the best possible shape heading into a crucial part of the season – the final two games of the first league phase of the Champions League lie in the next two Weeks ahead and want to reduce a six-point gap to La Liga leaders Atlético Madrid from their current third place.

Here we analyze the most important talking points from the cup game…

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How far is Jamal from being the best in the world?

That’s a real question that Barcelona fans are asking – not that the 17-year-old striker’s Barca teammates seem to have any doubts.

“After Lionel Messi, for me Lamine Yamal is the best player in the world right now,” Gavi told reporters in the mixed zone after the game.

“Gavi is very emotional!” That’s what Flick said at his press conference when he heard about the midfielder’s claim. “But you see what kind of player Yamal is… In big games you see the big talents, and Lamine has proven many times that he is one of them. “He’s on a great path right now, but he’s still very young and we have to take care of him.”

Yamal was once again the star for Barcelona in yesterday’s game. He scored Barca’s fifth goal, had another goal narrowly ruled out due to an offside position and provided the assist when Kounde made it 2-0 in the 28th minute. But it was his dominance, the fear he instilled in every Betis defender and the havoc he caused every time he went forward that were on a whole different scale.

Before the end of 2024, Yamal said in a club media interview that one of his New Year’s resolutions was to score more goals: “In 2025 I want to score more goals, be in every game.” Last year it worked out for me The assists are really good, but I still need to improve on the scoring.”

He has three goals and one assist in three games for 2025, meaning he has been involved in 21 goals in 24 games this season. The child is fine.

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Olmo shines as a false nine

Flick gave 36-year-old regular striker Robert Lewandowski a rest and used this cup game to experiment a little. He played in the summer of 2024 and signed Dani Olmo as a false nine for the first time – and the result was as satisfying as he had hoped.

Olmo, fresh from his provisional registration after a long saga over the winter break, was great. The 26-year-old Spain international thrived with his freedom of movement, enjoying dropping deeper and getting closer to Pedri, Gavi and Frenkie de Jong as Barcelona overwhelmed Betis’ midfield.

Lewandowski is in top form again this season and has already scored 26 goals in 27 club appearances. But the ability to switch from a more traditional striker in attack to a free-flowing midfield system added an extra layer of danger to this formidable Barca side.

“Lewy wasn’t an option for tonight, but the plan worked perfectly,” said Flick. “We knew Dani could play in this position, he had made it with the national team and we are very happy with the performance.”

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Barca average more than three goals per game

Across all competitions, Flick’s team has scored 88 goals in 29 games this season – an average of more than three per game.

It’s a crazy statistic that is reminiscent of the club’s best days. Only the 2011-12 team, captained by Pep Guardiola and featuring Messi in attack, had better statistics in the last 60 years of Barcelona’s history. After 29 games they had scored 95 goals. In both 1942-43 and 1958-59, Barca scored 93 goals in the same number of games. Flick’s team is at the top.

A big reason for this is the devastating front three that the German has a) put together and b) taken to the next level. Lewandowski (26), Raphinha (20) and Yamal (nine) are the team’s top three scorers, accounting for more than 62 percent of the 88 goalscorers.

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Araujo is leaning towards a contract extension

Flick started Ronald Araujo against Betis and also handed him the captain’s armband.

The Uruguay centre-back will need to maintain his match fitness after recently returning from a lengthy absence with a hamstring injury, with fellow defender Inigo Martinez now out for a month with the same problem. Most importantly, Flick has decided to trust the 25-year-old because, despite the excitement surrounding his future, he finally seems ready to stay at Barcelona and sign a new contract.

When he was substituted after 64 minutes, Araujo received a loud standing ovation from the crowd. He responded by tapping the Barca crest on his chest and thanking fans for their gesture.

There was real interest in Araujo from Juventus of Italy, but the Supercopa win against Madrid, as well as the trust of Flick and sporting director Deco, appears to have convinced him that he should stay. But Barca demanded the player extend his contract – the current one expires at the end of next season – if he wanted it.

Representatives from Araujo’s camp are expected to land in Barcelona later this week to negotiate the details of a new contract.

“I never had any doubts about Araujo’s future,” said Flick. “You all saw how the fans celebrated his game tonight. Araujo gives the team something special.”

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What’s next for Barcelona?

Saturday, January 18th: Getafe (A), La Liga, 8:00 p.m. GMT, 3:00 p.m. ET

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(Top photo: Siu Wu/Picture Alliance via Getty Images)