New Delhi: A rollercoaster of emotions, dramatic goals, and a lost tooth – the Barcelona vs Real Betis clash was a spectacle that will be remembered for years to come. The two sides produced a thrilling 2-2 draw at the Benito Villamarin, a match that had everything. Despite taking the lead twice, Barcelona couldn’t hold on and as a result, a late equalizer by Real Betis dashed their hopes of extending their lead at the top of the La Liga table.
Barcelona dominated first half
The match started explosively with Real Betis launching an early blitz to catch the visitors off guard nearly scoring twice in the opening three minutes. Raphinha’s goal-line clearance and Inaki Pena’s brilliant save from Ez Abde kept Barcelona alive. After weathering the early storm, Barca took control of the game as they began to dictate the tempo of the game.
The breakthrough came five minutes before halftime when Robert Lewandowski converted a well-crafted team move involving Pedri and Jules Kounde. The Polish striker’s 16th goal of the season gave Barcelona a deserved lead heading into the break.
The unusual moment came in the first half when Dani Olmo lost a tooth following a heavy challenge in the first half. The Spanish international had to retrieve the missing tooth and was eventually substituted, adding an odd twist to an already chaotic match.
❗️Dani Olmo lost a tooth during today’s game vs. Real Betis… He later found it on the grass.
— @sport pic.twitter.com/IXuy5zwbpO
— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) December 7, 2024
The first half ended with Barca in the 1-0 lead and seemingly in control, though Betis had shown enough intent to warn of a tough second half.
Late drama and Betis bounceback
The second half, however, belonged to Betis. The hosts piled on the pressure but missed multiple chances early on. Sergi Altimira and Ez Abde squandered headers, while Peña made another crucial save to deny Chimy Avila.
The turning point came in the 65th minute when Frenkie de Jong who replaced Dani Olmo in the second half brought down Vitor Roque in the penalty area during a Betis counterattack. After a VAR review, the referee awarded a penalty and Giovani Lo Celso calmly equalized the scoreline.
During the heated protests that followed, Hansi Flick was shown a red card, leaving Barca without their coach on the sidelines. The dismissal added to the chaos as the visitors scrambled to regain control. Flick might also face further punishment for his red card, with the German boss now set to be handed a touchline ban too.
Official: Hansi Flick was red carded for “Leaving the manager’s designated area making gestures and protesting one of the referees decisions.” pic.twitter.com/eRHHkvgUBC
— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) December 7, 2024
Barcelona appeared to have secured the win when Lamine Yamal’s brilliant through ball set up Ferran Torres for a clinical finish in the 80th minute. Initially flagged offside, the goal was eventually awarded after a VAR review.
Ferran dedicated his goal to all those who showed their support in the wake of the DANA catastrophe. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/nES9AGTPgK
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) December 7, 2024
But the drama wasn’t over. Deep into injury time, Assane Diao, a 19-year-old substitute, connected with a perfect cross from Aitor Ruibal to equalize for Betis, sending the home crowd into raptures.
What next?
Barcelona’s draw against Betis has tightened the title race, with their arch-rivals Real Madrid now just five points behind and two games in hand. The pressure mounts as Barca as they face two crucial league fixtures against Leganes and Atletico Madrid before the Christmas break.
Before returning to La Liga action, the Catalans will focus on the Champions League match against Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday. With their lead under threat, Hansi Flick’s side must regroup and deliver consistent performances in the coming weeks to stay ahead in both competitions. The road ahead is challenging but Barca’s resilience will determine their fate.
Barcelona held to a thrilling 2-2 draw by Real Betis in a dramatic La Liga clash. Missed chances, red cards, and late goals marked the chaotic encounter. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
