Barça extend their lead in La Liga with victory over Betis

The Catalans put second-placed Real Madrid, who host Valencia on Thursday, under pressure by taking a narrow victory from an intense clash in Benito Villamarin.

With French winger Ousmane Dembélé injured for the next few weeks, Raphinha took his chance to prove himself.

Dembele’s superb form had limited the Brazilian’s minutes since his move from Leeds United last summer.

Raphinha put Barcelona ahead in the 65th minute and Lewandowski, back from a three match suspension, scored the second with 10 minutes remaining.

Jules Kounde scored an unfortunate own goal to give Betis a fighting chance for a point in the dying minutes, but Barcelona held on for victory.

“I think we played a good game, our game was very good, excellent I would say,” Barca coach Xavi Hernandez told Movistar.

“We played a great game in a very difficult place to come. I am very happy not only for the result but also for how we played, we improved a lot from Girona.

Barcelona had won the previous three league matches 1-0, including last weekend against Catalan rivals Girona, but operated at a higher level in Seville.

Betis started well for their impetuous support, with Alejandro Balde doing well to block Luiz Henrique’s attempt in the opening changes.

On the other hand, Lewandowski headed wide, while Pedri was unable to find the finish as he continued on goal.

Raphinha had a goal disallowed for clear offside and Kounde threw himself in the way of Sergio Canales’ goal.

Betis goalkeeper Rui Silva denied Pedri on both sides at half-time as the Spain international attempted to continue his own goalscoring form after scoring the winner in Girona.

– Eight points clear –

Raphinha unsuccessfully appealed for a penalty after an altercation with Abner Vinicius in the area, but the Brazilian’s complaints soon turned to revelry.

Frenkie de Jong cleverly passed Balde from a quick free kick and the young left back slid a ball over the face of the goal, allowing Raphinha to tap in.

“It’s about attitude, competitiveness, desire, belief, our hopes are huge,” said Xavi when asked about De Jong’s quick thinking.

“We are at a good time with this, we have the confidence and the morale to achieve success. That also matters, it’s about competing well.”

The return of La Liga top scorer Lewandowski was largely a frustrating return for the striker, with a shot blocked after Sergio Busquets set him up, while his touch was uncharacteristically clumsy.

However, the Polish international finished clinically after Ronald Araujo headed home to score his 14th league goal of the season and 23rd in all competitions.

Substitute Ansu Fati headed wide after another fine cross from Balde, before Kounde accidentally kicked a ball into his own net past Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s outstretched arm to set up a nerve-wracking final.

Barcelona survived and rounded off the first half of their league campaign with a win, aiming to win the title for the first time since 2019.

Betis, sixth, had William Carvalho sent off after the full-time whistle for protesting some of the referee’s decisions.

The Andalusians are three points behind Atletico Madrid in fourth place.

“The games are always like this against Barca. It’s hard to take the ball away from them. They are able to push you back and keep you in your own half,” Betis forward Borja Iglesias told Movistar.

“We were doing well until their goal, from there it was a different game.”

AFP