In another frustrating setback for Barcelona, Real Betis snatched a dramatic 2-2 draw at the Benito Villamarín Stadium, with Assane Diao’s last-minute strike denying the Catalans three valuable points. The match, which saw manager Hansi Flick sent off and teenage sensation Lamine Yamal deliver a masterclass, epitomized Barcelona’s recent struggles to close out games.
The evening began with both sides showing attacking intent, with Betis forcing Barcelona goalkeeper Inaki Pena into early action. The hosts’ aggressive press caused visible discomfort to Barcelona’s young defender Pau Cubarsi and kept the visitors on their toes throughout the first half.
Despite the pressure, Barcelona broke the deadlock in the 38th minute through a beautifully crafted move. Pedri, showcasing his exceptional vision, found Jules Kounde advancing down the right flank. The French defender’s precise cross was met by Robert Lewandowski, who demonstrated his predatory instincts with a clinical finish from close range.
The second half saw Real Betis emerge with renewed vigor, testing Barcelona’s resolve repeatedly. Inaki Pena proved crucial for the visitors, producing several outstanding saves, particularly against Vitor Roque, whose efforts could have changed the complexion of the game earlier.
The match’s turning point came after the hour mark when controversy erupted in Barcelona’s penalty area. Substitute Frenkie de Jong, who had recently replaced Dani Olmo, was adjudged to have pushed Vitor Roque to the ground. The incident required a lengthy VAR review, ultimately resulting in a penalty award that sparked fierce protests from the Barcelona bench. The ensuing chaos led to Hansi Flick’s dismissal, forcing the manager to watch the remainder of the match from the stands. Giovani Lo Celso stepped up and converted the spot-kick, bringing the hosts level.
Barcelona appeared to have secured victory when Ferran Torres, who had come on for Raphinha, found the net with nine minutes remaining. The goal, initially flagged for offside, was validated after a VAR review, triggering jubilant celebrations from the Barcelona contingent. The assist came from the outstanding Lamine Yamal, whose performance throughout the evening was nothing short of spectacular.
However, Barcelona’s inability to manage winning positions came back to haunt them once again. In the final minute, Assane Diao produced a moment of brilliance, his exquisite touch sending the ball into the bottom corner beyond Pena’s reach. The goal was particularly disappointing for Barcelona’s defense, with veteran defender Inigo Martinez notably failing to challenge Diao effectively.
The draw continues a concerning pattern for Barcelona, who suffered a similar fate against Celta Vigo in November. Flick’s tactical decisions, particularly the substitutions of Olmo and Raphinha, came under scrutiny as they appeared to diminish Barcelona’s attacking threat, despite Torres’ goal.
Among the individual performances, Lamine Yamal stood out with a spectacular display that earned him a 9/10 rating. The young winger consistently troubled Betis with his mesmerizing dribbling and capped his performance with a world-class assist for Torres’ goal. In defense, Inaki Pena justified his selection with an impressive 8/10 performance, making crucial saves throughout the match and showing no fault for either Betis goal.
However, not all Barcelona players matched these standards. Alejandro Balde endured a difficult evening, earning a 4/10 rating for his positional indiscipline that allowed Betis to exploit his flank repeatedly. The young defensive pairing of Cubarsi and Martinez also showed vulnerability against Betis’ aggressive pressing, both earning 5/10 ratings.
The result raises further questions about Barcelona’s ability to manage games and maintain leads under pressure. Flick’s dismissal and the team’s late collapse highlight ongoing concerns about their tactical approach and mental fortitude in crucial moments.
Looking ahead, Barcelona must quickly address these issues as they prepare for their upcoming Champions League clash with Borussia Dortmund. The repeated pattern of conceding late goals and dropping points from winning positions threatens to undermine their ambitions both domestically and in Europe.
This latest setback serves as another reminder of the work that lies ahead for Flick and his squad. While individual talents like Yamal continue to shine, Barcelona’s collective inability to close out matches efficiently could prove costly in their pursuit of silverware this season. The challenge now lies in finding the right balance between their attacking prowess and defensive stability, particularly in the crucial closing stages of matches.
