Barcelona are still unbeaten in 2025 and will finish the weekend four points clear at the top of the La Liga table with eight games to go, but their nine-game win streak in the league has come to an end thanks to a 1-1 draw against Real Betis at the Montjuïc Olympic Stadium on Saturday night. Barça had all of the ball and some good chances throughout the night but failed to find a way to beat a very well-organized and stubborn Betis side, and while the Blaugrana still increased their lead over Real Madrid they couldn’t fully capitalize on Los Blancos’ loss earlier in the day, and the title race remains tight for now.

FIRST HALF

Barça made a fast start to the contest, establishing their dominance early and creating two big chances: the first was a rocket from Pedri that required a big save from Adrián, but the goalkeeper couldn’t stop Gavi, who received a gorgeous assist by Ferran Torres at the end of a beautiful team move and gave Barça the lead just seven minutes into the action.

But the Catalans were facing a very good team that didn’t lose their composure: Betis had a clear strategy of defending deep and counter-attacking with pace and purpose, and constantly found Antony on the right wing to give them relief and also cause danger. And that plan led to the equalizer: Antony won a corner, Giovani Lo Celso sent it into the box, and Natan won the battle with Ronald Araujo in the air to head it home for the visitors.

The Verdiblancos continued to offer real threat on the counter, finding Antony time and time again looking for another chance. They couldn’t trouble Wojciech Szczesny again, but they always gave Barça a reminder that they could strike at any moment.

But the Blaugrana also kept playing their game and had several excellent moments through their possession work and their high pressing, but wasted all of them with poor finishing and poor decision-making in the final third by the likes of Ferran and Lamine Yamal, who had a rare bad game for his very high standards and couldn’t find either the finishing touch himself or set up his teammates for potential assists.

The halftime whistle came to end a very competitive first period in which Barça dominated the ball and should have taken a lead into the dressing room, but Betis were very much still in the game and things were set up for a fascinating second half.

SECOND HALF

Manuel Pellegrini made a bold substitution at halftime, sending on attacker Chimy Ávila and taking off defensive midfielder Sergi Altimira to add another wing threat to a Betis side that sensed a real chance to steal a victory in Montjuïc.

But the visitors were not afforded many chances to counter early in the period as Barça did a better job of controlling the ball in midfield, and their pressing was even more effective to stop Betis from getting on the break.

The Catalans continued to apply pressure with their superior possession and Pedri created a monster chance with an amazing through ball to find Kounde, who had his shot brilliantly saved by Adrián.

The game was still all square at the hour mark, and Hansi Flick sent on Eric García and Raphinha to add fresh legs in midfield and up front as the hosts looked to retake the lead. Pellegrini answered with a defensive change, as William Carvalho came on to add size and strength in midfield.

Betis remained extremely solid at the back and offered very little space, and Barça kept making silly mistakes to waste the very few chances they did have. We reached the final 20 minutes with the game still up for grabs, and the Blaugrana looked increasingly out of ideas against a stubborn Betis defense.

Flick made two more changes with 15 minutes to go clearly thinking about the upcoming clash with Borussia Dortmund as Alejandro Balde and Pedri came off for Gerard Martín and Fermín López, while the Betis manager sent on two fresh and fast attackers to try and steal a winner on the counter.

Betis fully parked the bus at the end by changing to a 5-4-1 shape and putting every player behind the ball, but Barça still found spaces to create danger thanks to Fermín, who came on with great energy and movement in the final third. But Barça still couldn’t find a way through, and former Blaugrana defender Marc Bartra had a monster night in which he made one crucial intervention after another at the back.

And as Barça failed to put the game away, Betis became encouraged to try for a late winner, earning multiple corners in the final minutes. Even if they couldn’t find the net, though, they still found some relief from having to defend the Barça blitz, and that was enough to earn them a point as the final whistle came to end the game all square.

It’s impossible not think that Barça have wasted a golden chance in such a tight title race, but Betis were really good on the night and a point against such a strong team isn’t exactly the worst thing in the world. Still, Barça were wasteful and frustrating to watch in the final third tonight, and they must be better against Dortmund on Wednesday if they want to get off to a good start in the two-legged Champions League quarter-finals.

Barcelona: Szczesny; Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsí, Balde (Martín 75’); De Jong (Eric 57’), Pedri (Fermín 75’); Yamal, Gavi, Ferran (Raphinha 57’); Lewandowski

Goal: Gavi (7’)

Betis: Adrián; Ruibal, Bartra, Natan, Perraud; Johnny (Llorente 78’), Altimira (Ávila 46’); Antony (Jesús 75’), Lo Celso (William 59’), Fornals; Cucho (Bakambu 75’)

Goal: Natan (17’)