Barcelona have extended their unbeaten start to 2025

Barcelona endured a frustrating evening against Real Betis on Saturday, but a draw still extended their lead at the top of La Liga after Real Madrid were beaten 2-1 at home by Valencia earlier in the day.

This season, Barcelona have had a knack of scoring early goals, and they got another in this match as they struck the opener inside seven minutes. It was a nice moment for Gavi as he found the back of the net against his former club after being played in by Ferran Torres, and in doing so, he scored his first La Liga goal of the season.

However, Barcelona were only able to stay in front for 10 minutes, as Betis found a relatively quick equaliser. It was a corner from Giovani Lo Celso that was met by Natan, and the Brazilian defender bulleted a header into the back of the net, leaving Wojciech Szczesny with no chance of making a save.

Barcelona came close to scoring a second when Pedri was denied by Adrian San Miguel, who had a very busy evening in the Betis goal. He and his defence were able to see out the remainder of the first half, and although the hosts started to pile on the pressure in the second period, they were able to hold on then too as Hansi Flick withdrew the likes of Pedri and Alejandro Balde with Wednesday’s Champions League quarter-final first leg against Borussia Dortmund in mind.

The result means that Barcelona are now four points clear of Real Madrid, who lost to Valencia earlier in the day. A point for Betis sees them move ahead of Villarreal into fifth in the standings, albeit the Yellow Submarine – who take on Athletic Club at La Ceramica on Sunday – have played two matches less.

Gavi had given Barcelona a dream start at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, but in-form Betis secured a point thanks to a Natan header in the first half. While it ends the Catalan side’s nine-match winning streak in La Liga, it has continued their unbeaten start to 2025.

As per Diario AS, Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick gave his thoughts on the match against Betis. He has chosen to focus on the bright side, rather than looking at it like two points dropped.

“I have told the players that there is now one game less and we have one more point. I’m left with the fact that the team gave everything and tried to score another goal but it wasn’t to be. We were unlucky in front of goal. I’m happy with what I saw in the second half.”

On days when you don’t manage to score, you have to accept it. We have to think positively. I am clear that we have tried everything. I look at it being positive. It is one more point. We are in April and we are in a good situation. We have to keep going. Everything we have created is exceptional. Not just the team, all the staff, all this is a family and it’s very good to see.”

For Barcelona, attention will now quickly turn to the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie against Borussia Dortmund, which takes place at the Estadi Olimpic on Wednesday. Flick’s side are one of the favourites to win the competition, but the Bundesliga giants will provide a very tricky test.