Real Drama

This was primed to be a blockbuster match; Real Betis; 13th in the league but in good form & strong at home; and Barcelona; desperately chasing leaders Real Madrid and coming off a rather-tumultuous time both on-field and off. And it turned out exactly that.

The match was barely 6 minutes old when it burst into life: dazzling midfielder Nabil Fekir penetrated deep into the Barca backline; before firing in a shot that came off Clement Lenglet's arm. It didn't look a penalty at first-sight but after VAR; it was apparent that Lenglet had moved his arm ever so slightly to block the shot. Up stepped Sergio Canales for the penalty; and he coolly slotted past Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

The kick-off had barely got underway; when Barcelona responded in the best fashion possible; Lionel Messi playing a superb floated ball for Frankie de Jong to control and prod home in one smooth motion. Betis had it all to do again; and do it they did; as it was that man Fekir who approached the Barca defence again; and with Samuel Umtiti dangerously backing off; he fired in an unstoppable shot to put his team back in the lead.

They looked to have held on until half-time; but 3 minutes into stoppage time; another dazzling Messi free-kick was prodded home by Sergio Busquets after some poor marking from the Betis defence. In the second half; it was rather equal; with Messi being denied repeatedly by the heroics of Betis goalkeeper Joel Robles. And after 72 minutes; it was Lenglet who powered over Guido Rodriguez for the winning header; after yet another dangerous Messi cross.

With Betis getting increasingly desperate by the minute; it was Fekir who lost his composure with a quick-fire double-yellow for dissent. And the drama was still not over as hero-turned-villain Lenglet was next to get a second yellow after an unnecessary lunge on Betis substitute Joaquin. With both sides down to 10 men; it all led to a rather nervy finish; but in the end; Barca managed to hang on for a vital win.