Barcelona survived a late scare to hold onto a mostly comfortable and vitally important 2-1 victory away to Real Betis on Wednesday evening.
2022/2023 La Liga
1-2
An end-to-end start at the Benito Villamarin Stadium reflected the importance of the game for both sides, with Betis not afraid to try to put their visitors under pressure. Barcelona settled into the half, though, and created chances aplenty.
Raphinha had the ball in the back of the net, but saw his goal chalked off for offside; a summary of a frustrating 45 minutes that saw La Blaugrana unable to finish their chances.
Pedri forced a fantastic save out of Rui Silva early on in the second period as Barcelona ramped up the pressure.
Betis sat deeper and deeper, but inevitably caved as Alejandro Balde bombed forward and played a brilliant cross for Raphinha to fire home.
Robert Lewandowski - back from a suspension - doubled that lead with 10 minutes to go, but an own goal from Jules Kounde threatened to spoil the party. Crucially, Barcelona hung on for the win.
Match Events
3' Raphinha's shot stopped
19' Pedri misses good chance
32' Disallowed! Raphinha scores but the goal is offside
37' Pedri's shot stopped
48' CLOSE! Pedri's shot stopped again
65' GOAL! Betis 0-1 Barcelona (Raphinha)
69' Yellow Card! Luiz Felipe booked
80' GOAL! Betis 0-2 Barcelona (Lewandowski)
85' OWN GOAL! Betis 1-2 Barcleona (Kounde)
Line-ups
Betis XI: Rui Silva, Ruibal, Pezzella, Felipe, Abner, Rodriguez, William, Henrique, Canales, Fekir, Iglesias
Subs: Joaquin, Guardado, Bravo, V.Ruiz, W.José, Juanmi, Montoya, Sabaly, Martin, Edgar González, Juan Miranda, Rodri Sánchez
Barcelona XI: Ter Stegen, Kounde, Araujo, Christensen, Balde, Busquets, De Jong, Gavi, Raphinha, Pedri, Lewandowski
Subs: Fati, Torres, Pena, Alonso, Alba, Kessie, Roberto, Eric, Torre, Tenas, Alarcon