LaLiga leaders Barcelona saw their impressive run of nine consecutive league victories come to an end on Saturday as they were held to a 1-1 draw by a resilient Real Betis at the Camp Nou. This result marks the first time Los Verdiblancos have avoided defeat in an away head-to-head against Barcelona since December 2021.
Boosted by Real Madrid’s surprise loss to Valencia, Barcelona started the match with intent, taking the lead after just seven minutes through Gavi. The former Betis academy player showed respect for his boyhood club with a muted celebration after driving a low shot into the bottom corner, following a neat first-time through ball from Ferran Torres.
However, Barcelona’s lead was short-lived. Just ten minutes later, Real Betis responded when Natan powered a header home from a Giovani Lo Celso corner, leveling the score. Barcelona goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny was called into action again early in the second half, reacting well to keep out Jules Kounde’s left-footed strike from close range.
Gavi came close to restoring Barcelona’s advantage shortly after, but his fizzing shot deflected narrowly wide of Adrian’s right post. Barcelona coach Hansi Flick made several substitutions in the second half, introducing the likes of Raphinha and Fermin Lopez in search of a winning goal.
Lopez saw a late effort saved by Betis goalkeeper Adrian, while Szczesny was forced into a rare save himself to push away Natan’s ambitious long-range effort. Despite Barcelona’s late pressure, Real Betis held firm to secure a well-deserved draw, extending their unbeaten run in the league to seven games.
While Betis’s point lifts them to fifth in the LaLiga standings, Barcelona will be slightly disappointed to have missed the opportunity to extend their lead over Real Madrid to six points. The draw still sees them four points clear at the top of the table and maintains their unbeaten record in all competitions in 2025.
