Barcelona were six points behind La Liga leaders Real Madrid at kick-off
Defender Clement Lenglet scored the winning goal and was sent off as Barcelona beat Real Betis to close the gap on La Liga leaders Real Madrid.
The champions twice came from behind to level before Lenglet headed in Lionel Messi’s 73rd-minute free-kick.
Sergio Canales’ sixth-minute penalty gave Betis an early lead but Frenkie de Jong levelled three minutes later.
Nabil Fekir’s fine strike restored the hosts’ advantage only for Sergio Busquets to make it 2-2 at half-time.
Trailing 3-2, Betis were reduced to 10 men after Nabil Fekir received two yellow cards in quick succession but Lenglet’s dismissal made for a tense finale.
Earlier, leaders Real Madrid had beaten Osasuna 4-1 to go six points clear.
It had been a difficult week for Barcelona after they were dumped out of the Copa del Rey at the quarter-final stage by Athletic Bilbao and the club’s sporting director Eric Abidal publically criticised the players for not working hard enough.
Things worsened for Quique Setien’s side after Lenglet handled in the box inside the opening five minutes and former Real Madrid player Canales confidently converted from the spot.
But Barcelona fought hard to twice level, De Jong and Busquets both also converting from Messi assists, before sustained pressure in the second period eventually wore the hosts down.
Setien’s chasing side remain in touch with Zinedine Zidane’s Real Madrid, who they will face in La Liga in three weeks time.
- Line-ups
- Match Stats
- Live Text
Line-ups
Real Betis
- 1Robles
- 22Leite de Souza JuniorBooked at 36mins
- 23MandiBooked at 45mins
- 5Bartra
- 15Moreno Lopera
- 21RodrรญguezBooked at 72minsSubstituted forTelloat 86'minutes
- 24Aleรฑรก
- 10Canales
- 14William CarvalhoSubstituted forSรกnchez Rodrรญguezat 70'minutes
- 8FekirBooked at 76mins
- 9IglesiasSubstituted forMorรณnat 62'minutes
Substitutes
- 11Tello
- 12da Silva Jรบnior
- 13Martรญn Fernรกndez
- 16Morรณn
- 17Sรกnchez Rodrรญguez
- 19Barragรกn
- 32Gonzรกlez
Barcelona
- 1ter Stegen
- 2Nรฉlson Semedo
- 23Umtiti
- 15LengletBooked at 79mins
- 24FirpoSubstituted forAlbaat 57'minutes
- 5BusquetsBooked at 57mins
- 20RobertoBooked at 29mins
- 21de Jong
- 22VidalBooked at 32minsSubstituted forArthurat 57'minutes
- 17GriezmannSubstituted forRakiticat 89'minutes
- 10Messi
Substitutes
- 4Rakitic
- 8Arthur
- 18Alba
- 26Peรฑa
- 28Puig
- 31Fati
- 33Araรบjo
Referee:Josรฉ Marรญa Sรกnchez MartรญnezAttendance:54,526
Match Stats
Home TeamReal BetisAway TeamBarcelonaPossessionHome30%Away70%ShotsHome7Away10Shots on TargetHome3Away6CornersHomeAway8FoulsHome21Away17
Live Text
Posted at
Match ends, Real Betis 2, Barcelona 3.
