Ferran Torres nabbed a hat-trick as Barcelona beat Real Betis 4-2

Ferran Torres scored a hat-trick as Barcelona had to manage a comeback to beat Real Betis 4-2 and stay alive in the league title race.

The Catalan side went ahead in the 21st minute with Ferran scoring the first of three goals thanks to an assist from Pedri. All Ferran needed to do was tap it in.

Barcelona could have gotten a second moments before the break but Robert Lewandowski was deemed to be offside, ruling out his goal.

Manuel Pellegrini made a couple of changes to start the second half, bringing on Nabil Fekir and Borja Iglesias.

Before either could really have an impact, Ferran scored his second, Lamine Yamal, who had a fine game, sent in a cross from near the byline, hitting the post and landing to Ferran who doubled Barcelona's advantage.

It seemed like Barcelona had control of the game. However, all it took was three minutes for Betis to score twice, with Isco scoring in the 56 and 59th minute. The first was a bit of miscommunication between Ronald Araujo and Iñaki Peña where both tried to handle a cross. The center-back headed it away but it fell to Isco who slammed it past Peña.

The second one saw Betis beat the offside trap and Isco getting in behind Araujo and Pau Cubarsi. Peña tried to close the anlge but Isco lobber over the keeper.

All it took was three minutes for all the good work from Barcelona to come undone.

Betis was the better of the two sides in the second half and the scoreline was a reflection of it.

Just when it looked like Barcelona were going to have to settle for the draw and drop two points, João Félix, who hasn't been in a good run of form recently, toe-poked a shot past the keeper in the 90th minute after a pass from Ferran. The Portuguese forward entered the game as a late substitute and made an impact.

With eight minutes of stoppage time, Barcelona was not out of the woods yet.

In the 92nd minute, Ferran got his hat-trick after lobbying the keeper following another assist from Lamine Yamal. It's his first hat-trick as a Barcelona, rounding out his best performance with the club since arriving from Manchester City -- in his 100th game no less.

"I believe this is the result of work, discipline, perseverance, believing in one's self and taking advantage of every opportunity on the pitch," Ferran said after the game.

It was evident how much it meant to him and how much he appreciated the faith Xavi Hernandez has had in him as he went over to celebrate with the Barcelona manager after scoring his third goal."

"I think the team has taken a step forward after 2-2. We showed character and took the three points," Ferran said. "I don't think you can ask for much more than scoring a hat-trick in your 100th game. I'm going to enjoy it."

The win was an important one and one Barcelona needed. Especially after playing a very good 50 minutes. Given their position in the table, they cannot afford to drop any more points if they want to continue to have a realistic chance at the La Liga title.

On a confidence level, bouncing back after conceding twice and blowing a two-goal lead is crucial. Even more so considering they have another tough game on the horizon as they now switch focus to the Copa del Rey where they will travel to take on a difficult Athletic Bilbao side.