Barcelona 4-0 Betis: Robert Lewandowski nets 19th league goal as Catalans edge closer to La Liga title

Barcelona edged closer to the La Liga title with a comfortable 4-0 win over 10-man Real Betis.

The damage was done in the first half and Andreas Christensen kicked things off with his first goal for the club to put Xavi’s side ahead after 14 minutes.

Edgar Gonzalez, who replaced the injured Luiz Felipe, was sent off 20 minutes after his introduction after a second yellow card.

With a man advantage, Barcelona took no prisoners and scored minutes later through Robert Lewandowski, before Raphinha added a third before the break.

Barcelona had chances to extend their lead in the second half and finally did when Ansu Fati drilled home with ten minutes to go.

The win means Barcelona need eight more points to secure the La Liga title.

Christensen was completely free in the box to steer Raphinha’s inswinging cross beyond Rui Silva with a deft header to put Barcelona ahead.

Betis were forced into an early change when Felipe picked up an injury and his replacement, Gonzalez, was sent off after picking up bookings for fouls on Raphinha and Pedri.

Moments later Barcelona had their second of the game through Lewandowski for his 19th league goal of the season, and Betis had a giant hill to climb.

Gavi slipped the ball to Jules Kounde on the right and the full-back delivered a pinpoint cross that Lewandowski managed to latch onto and steer across the face of goal and into the far bottom corner.

Raphina had the ball in the net for a third after meeting Sergio Busquets’ perfectly executed through ball before dinking the ball past Silva, but the flag was up for offside. After a lengthy VAR check, the decision was overturned and the goal was given.

Lewandowski and Ronald Araujo had chances to add a fourth for Barcelona, but both fumbled efforts from point-blank range.

Substitute Fati drilled home a fourth with ten minutes to go as Betis were reduced to nine following 41-year-old Joaquin’s departure through injury, shortly after coming on.

15-year-old Lamine Jamal made history when he came on with seven minutes to play, becoming Barcelona’s youngest-ever player in La Liga, and the fifth youngest in the division overall.

TALKING POINT – BARCELONA NEED EIGHT POINTS TO SEAL THE TITLE

As long as Real Madrid continue to win, Barcelona will need eight points from their remaining six games to confirm their status as Spanish champions for the first time since 2018/19.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH – RAPHINHA (BARCELONA)

The Brazilian recovered from a sloppy start and was heavily involved as Barcelona raced away with the game in the opening 45 minutes.

He put the ball on a plate for Christensen to guide past Silva, and then added his own with a delicately dinked finish to all but wrap up the game for Barcelona.

PLAYER RATINGS

Barcelona: ter Stegen 6, Kounde 8, Araujo 7 Christensen 8, Balde 7, de Jong 6, Busquets 8, Pedri 7, Raphinha 8, Lewandowski 8, Gavi 7

Subs: Alonso 6, Kessie 6, Dembele 6, Fati 6, Yamal 6

Betis: Silva 6, Montoya 5, Felipe 6, Pezzella 6, Miranda 6, Rodriguez 5, Carvalho 5, Henrique 6, Canales 6, Perez 6, Jose 6

Subs: Gonzalez 3, Abner 6, Akoukou 6, Juanmi 6, Joaquin 6

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

14’ – GOAL! BARCELONA 1-0 BETIS (CHRISTENSEN) – This time Raphinha takes his time with the cross and it’s a quality delivery! He has all the time in the world to whip in an inswinging cross towards Christensen at the back post, who is completely unmarked, and heads home.

33’ – THE SUBSTITUTE IS SENT OFF! Edgar brings down Pedri with a late challenge and gets a second booking! He’s only been on the pitch for 20 minutes! A huge task ahead for Betis now.

36’ – GOAL! BARCELONA 2-0 BETIS (LEWANDOWSKI) – Things go from bad to worse for Betis! Gavi slips the ball to Jules Kounde on the right and the full-back delivers a pinpoint cross that Lewandowski latches onto and steers across the face of goal and into the far bottom corner. What a finish for his 19th league goal of the season!

39’ – RAPHINHA HAS THE BALL IN THE NET… But he’s offside! Sergio Busquets plays a brilliant through ball to the Brazilian who just drifts offside, before dinking the ball past Silva. VAR are checking, but it looks like he made his run too early.

42’ – GOAL! BARCELONA 3-0 BETIS (RAPHINHA) – The goal stands! After a lengthy VAR check, the decision is overturned and Raphinha gets his goal!

68’ – ARAUJO HEADS OVER FROM CLOSE RANGE! Another chance for Barcelona – this time the defender can’t keep his header down.

82’ – GOAL! BARCELONA 4-0 BETIS (FATI) – Ansu Fati drills in a cross, which is going in, but it takes a slight deflection on its way over the line.

KEY STAT