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.
2024/2025 La Liga
1-1
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