FC Barcelona give Real Madrid golden opportunity as 2-2 draw with Real Betis leaves title race wide open
FC Barcelona let slip a golden opportunity to hold on to top spot in La Liga after a 2-2 draw to Real Betis on Saturday.
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Real Madrid can now overtake Barcelona by winning their game in hand (Via X/@brfootball & RealBetis_en)
FC Barcelona’s troubles in La Liga have shown no signs of ending. The club’s most recent game in the Spanish top flight ended in a frustrating 2-2 draw as errors from the visitors gave Betis a way back in, twice.
Coming on the back of a 5-1 over Mallorca, many expected Hansi Flick‘s side to make easy work of its opponents. A recent 2-1 loss against Athletic Club for Real Madrid gave Barcelona an opportunity to grab on to top spot, but the draw now gives the Los Blancos a chance to go ahead.
Raphinha saved his side from going behind in the first three minutes with a crucial goal line clearance. The first goal of the game was scored by Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski, who got on the end of a deadly pass into the danger area from Jules Kounde.
Barcelona drop points for the fourth time in five games after Real Betis equalize in the 94th minute.
— B/R Football (@brfootball) December 7, 2024
Your move, Real Madrid ♟️ pic.twitter.com/QbAUqg3Tjk
The Frenchman’s pass set up the Pole for his 16th La Liga goal of the season. Hansi Flick saw red for a heated reaction on the touchline before the first half ended 1-0 in Barca’s favor.
However, Real Betis pulled one back from the penalty spot, when the referee awarded a penalty for Frenkie de Jong‘s foul on former Barca man Vitor Roque. Giovani Lo Celso‘s perfect penalty gave Inaki Pena no chance.
Ferran Torres then gave Barcelona the lead in the 82nd minute, with several fans convinced that the win was in reach. However, Assane Diao spoiled Barca’s party with a sleek finish towards the far post in injury time.
Robert Lewandowski joins exclusive club with Lionel Messi in goal scoring achievement
36-year-old Robert Lewandowski has been Barcelona’s primary source of goals this season. The veteran forward has been responsible for 16 goals and 2 assists till now, and shows no signs of stopping anytime soon.
With his opener against Real Betis on Saturday, the Pole equalled Lionel Messi‘s Barcelona ‘record’ as the first player since the Argentine to score 16 goals in his first 16 appearances. Messi last did the same in the 2018/19 season.
Robert Lewandowski has become the FIRST La Liga player to score 16 goals in his first 16 league games since Lionel Messi in the 2018/19 season. ???
— Pubity Sport (@pubitysport) December 7, 2024
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The striker has four goals in his last for matches in all competitions, win the club hoping he’ll keep up his form in the coming games against Borussia Dortmund, Leganes and Atletico Madrid. Besides this, Lewandowski is also the leading goal scorer in all of Europe’s top five Leagues. He also has the most number of goals in the UEFA Champions League.
Fans have drawn brutal comparisons with rival stars on social media, with one fan joking that he has as many goals in La Liga as that of Vinicius Jr. and Kylian Mbappe combined. Despite his brilliant form, Barcelona has started the search for a worthy successor who can fill in for Lewandowski as and when he leaves the squad. The latter’s contract expires in 2026.
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Sherwin Shaju
(1306 Articles Published)