Barcelona 1 – 1 Real Betis
Hansi Flick’s side failed to capitalize on the opportunity to go six points clear of Real Madrid.
Real Madrid’s loss earlier in the day had opened the door, but Barcelona couldn’t take advantage. Despite creating numerous chances, Hansi Flick’s team was held to a 1-1 draw against Real Betis.
The La Liga clash on Saturday night ended level after an eventful first half. Gavi gave Barça the lead, only for Natan to equalize before the break.
With Real Madrid suffering a 2-1 defeat to Valencia earlier, Barcelona had a golden chance to extend their lead to six points at the top. However, the draw against Betis meant they missed that opportunity.
Barcelona dominated possession with 74% of the ball and fired 13 shots, five of which were on target. Betis, on the other hand, managed just six shots, with two testing the keeper.
The visitors started with intensity, pressing Barcelona early. The hosts took a few minutes to settle in, but it was they who got the first real chance in the 6th minute—Pedri’s strike from outside the box was tipped away for a corner by Betis goalkeeper Adrián.
Just a minute later, Barcelona took the lead. Ferran Torres set up Gavi, who marked his return to the starting XI with a tidy finish. Out of respect for his boyhood club, the young midfielder chose not to celebrate.
In the 17th minute, Betis leveled the score. Giovani Lo Celso’s corner was met with a powerful header by Natan, scoring his first goal of the season.
Barcelona piled on the pressure with wave after wave of attacks. In the 29th minute, they almost regained the lead, but Torres couldn’t make solid contact on Alejandro Balde’s dangerous cross.
Nine minutes later, Lewandowski had a clear chance inside the box but failed to get a clean strike. Seconds after that, Lamine Yamal’s effort was saved by Adrián, and the rebound was blocked by the Betis defense.
The second half began much like the first, with Barça pushing forward. In the 55th minute, a through ball from Pedri found Jules Koundé, whose shot was eventually collected by Adrián after a second attempt.
Seven minutes later, Gavi’s powerful drive deflected off Marc Bartra and narrowly missed the post—another close call for the hosts.
In the 66th minute, substitute Raphinha nearly pulled off an ‘Olympic goal’ from a corner. Just three minutes later, his curling shot missed the post by inches.
Barcelona found it difficult to create clear-cut chances inside a crowded Betis box. Crosses from Yamal and Balde frequently failed to find a teammate.
One of the best chances came in the 76th minute when Yamal delivered a beautiful outside-foot cross to Raphinha, but the Brazilian’s header missed the target. Four minutes later, his free kick went straight into the keeper’s hands.
Against the run of play, Betis had a big chance in the 88th minute. Natan’s long-range strike forced a flying save from Barcelona’s goalkeeper to keep the score level.
Barcelona had one last chance deep in stoppage time. Raphinha whipped in a cross, but neither Lewandowski nor Fermín López could connect.
After 30 matches, Barcelona sit atop the La Liga table with 67 points from 21 wins and 4 draws. Real Madrid are second with 63 points.
With this result, Betis climbed to fifth with 48 points. Villarreal, who have two games in hand, dropped to sixth with 47 points.
