Barcelona failed to fully capitalize on Real Madrid’s surprise defeat, managing only a 1-1 draw against Real Betis at home. This result extends Barcelona’s lead at the top of LaLiga to four points rather than the potential six, with eight matches remaining in the season.
Gavi Paez gave Barcelona an early advantage with a low strike in the seventh minute after good work from Ferran Torres. However, Betis responded quickly when Natan headed home the equalizer just ten minutes later. Despite Barcelona’s second-half pressure, the combination of Adrian San Miguel’s goalkeeping and Marc Bartra’s defensive efforts helped Betis secure a valuable point.
“It’s clear, if we had won, we would be further ahead, but this is football,” Gavi reflected after the match. “We had our chances, but couldn’t convert and leave with a bitter taste in our mouths.”
The draw comes after Real Madrid suffered a surprising 2-1 home defeat to Valencia earlier in the day. Despite this setback, Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti remains defiant: “It is much harder now to fight for the league, but we only have one idea and that is to fight until the end because we still have a chance.”
The title race now enters a critical phase with both teams still set to face each other in May’s El Clásico, which could prove decisive. The draw maintains Barcelona’s unbeaten run but raises questions about their ability to close out games against determined opposition.
Both Spanish giants must now quickly shift focus to their midweek Champions League quarterfinal fixtures, with Barcelona hosting Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday while Real Madrid welcome Arsenal on Tuesday.