Barcelona 1-1 Betis: Hosts held but extend advantage to 4 points, Gavi scores

Barcelona have extended their unbeaten start to 2025, but their nine-match winning run in La Liga is over as they have drawn 1-1 against Real Betis at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.

Match Report

This season, Barcelona have had a knack of scoring early goals, and they got another in this match as they struck the opener inside seven minutes. It was a nice moment for Gavi as he found the back of the net against his former club after being played in by Ferran Torres, and in doing so, he scored his first La Liga goal of the season.

However, Barcelona were only able to stay in front for 10 minutes, as Betis found a relatively quick equaliser. It was a corner from Giovani Lo Celso that was met by Natan, and the Brazilian defender bulleted a header into the back of the net, leaving Wojciech Szczesny with no chance of making a save.

Barcelona came close to scoring a second when Pedri was denied by Adrian San Miguel, who had a very busy evening in the Betis goal. He and his defence were able to see out the remainder of the first half, and although the hosts started to pile on the pressure in the second period, they were able to hold on then too as Hansi Flick withdrew the likes of Pedri and Alejandro Balde with Wednesday’s Champions League quarter-final first leg against Borussia Dortmund in mind.

The result means that Barcelona are now four points clear of Real Madrid, who lost to Valencia earlier in the day. A point for Betis sees them move ahead of Villarreal into fifth in the standings, albeit the Yellow Submarine – who take on Athletic Club at La Ceramica on Sunday – have played two matches less.

Match Events

0' The match is about to start!

0' Anthony’s pre-game prayer—can’t wait to see him shine today

4' Full of magic—Yamal dances past Perraud with ease

6' GOAL! Gavi scores against his former club in 7 mins! Barcelona 1-0 Betis

16' GOAL! Natan equalizes from the corner! Barcelona 1-1 Betis

23' Anthony bursts forward with blazing speed but teammate’s shot was denied

29' Balde threads the pass, Ferran finds space unmarked but sends his shot wide

31' Bartra goes for a chip from midfield—just wide of the target

35' Araújo collides with keeper Adrián in a heavy challenge

38' Lewy and Yamal with big chances but Bartra and the keeper step up to deny them

46' Anthony cuts inside for a curling shot, but it goes just wide of the goal

48' Anthony goes down, but the referee waves play on

55' Pedri plays a through ball, Koundé beats the defender, but his shot is saved

57' Highlight from Barcelona vs Betis

63' Gavi strikes powerfully, the ball hits the center-back and goes just wide

64' Raphinha takes a direct corner, but Adrián makes the save

74 Anthony is substituted off, with Fermín and Martín coming on

78' Match Event for Barcelona vs Betis

80' Raphinha takes a low free-kick, but Adrián makes the save

Line-ups

Barcelona XI: Szczesny, Lewandowski, De Jong, Ferran Torres, Kounde, Araujo, Pedri, Balde, Gavi, Yamal, Cubarsi

Subs: Christensen, Pena, Raphinha, Eric Garcia, Fati, Pau Víctor, Pablo Torre, Fermín López, Gerard Martín, Héctor Fort, Diego Kochen

Betis XI: Adrian, Bartra, Perraud, Lo Celso, Ruibal, Cucho Hernández, Fornals, Antony, Johnny Cardoso, Natan, Sergi Altimira

Subs: Rodriguez, Bakambu, Chimy Ávila, Carvalho, Sabaly, Bellerin, D.Llorente, Fran Vieites, Guilherme Fernandes, Mateo Flores, Jesús Rodríguez