With a chance to extend their lead at the top of LaLiga following Real Madrid’s defeat to Valencia earlier in the afternoon, Barcelona returned to domestic duty hoping to notch a tenth successive league win. However, Hansi Flick’s men were held at home by an in-form Real Betis side, who extended their own unbeaten streak to seven matches with a 1-1 draw at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys.
Gavi opened the scoring inside seven minutes, but a powerful response from the visitors saw Natan equalise shortly after. Despite waves of second-half pressure and several late chances, Barça could not find a winner.
The result of this match extended Barcelona’s lead at the top of the standings to 67 points, four points ahead of Real Madrid’s 63 points, with both teams having played 30 matches.
As it happened
Barcelona started brightly and broke the deadlock in the seventh minute. A fluid move through Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres ended with the latter sliding in Gavi, who marked his 100th LaLiga appearance by coolly slotting into the far corner for the opener.
Real Betis responded swiftly. After going close through Cucho Hernández, they levelled from a set-piece with 17 minutes on the clock. Giovani Lo Celso’s outswinging corner found Natan, who rose highest and powered a header beyond Wojciech Szczęsny.
The hosts nearly regained the lead before the half-hour mark, but Ferran Torres dragged a golden chance wide after a neat pullback from Alejandro Balde. Yamal and Gavi also tested Adrián with low efforts while at the other end, Hernández and Fornals combined well but failed to trouble the Barça goal again before the interval.
Barça dominated the second half, pinning Betis back with a barrage of attacks. Pedri’s vision released Jules Koundé, whose effort was brilliantly saved by Adrián, while Yamal twice came close from inside the box. Gavi saw a deflected strike into the side netting, and Raphinha’s dipping free-kick was also held by the Betis goalkeeper.
Despite the pressure, the visitors held firm. Cardoso impressed in midfield before being forced off late on, and Natan continued to shine at the back. Betis almost stole it in the closing stages when the centre-back charged forward and forced Szczęsny into a flying save from distance. Barça threw everything forward, but chances for Lewandowski, Raphinha and Yamal went begging as the points were shared.
Barça will host Borussia Dortmund at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys on Wednesday in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final. Betis, meanwhile, continue their push for European qualification and sit just outside the top six heading into their UEFA Europa Conference League quarter-final next week.
The lineups
BAR: Szczęsny; Koundé, Cubarsí, Araújo, Balde; De Jong, Pedri; Yamal, Gavi, Torres; Lewandowski.
BET: Adrián; Ruibal, Bartra, Natan, Perraud; Antony, Altimira, Cardoso, Fornals; Lo Celso; Hernández.
