Barcelona failed to take full advantage of Real Madrid’s unexpected 2-1 defeat to Valencia by only managing a 1-1 draw against Real Betis at home. The match marked a failure by the reigning LaLiga champions to extend their lead despite Madrid’s slip-up.
Real Madrid suffered their loss in the Spanish capital, a result that ended Valencia’s winless away streak this season.
The loss for Madrid was partially offset later in the day when Barcelona, under Hansi Flick, maintained a four-point lead with both teams having played 30 matches. There are eight rounds remaining in the LaLiga season, including a much-anticipated Clasico in May.
Despite being two of the top teams in LaLiga, neither Betis nor Barcelona could assert their dominance, with the match ending in a stalemate. Gavi Paez gave Barcelona the lead in the seventh minute, assisted by Ferran Torres, but Natan’s header for Betis equalized just ten minutes later. The match culminated in a tense second half where Barcelona’s relentless offense was repelled by Betis’s solid defense, including their goalie Adrian San Miguel and defender Marc Bartra.

Gavi, reflecting on the missed opportunity to extend Barcelona’s lead, acknowledged the unpredictable nature of football, expressing a sense of frustration with the team’s failure to capitalize on their chances.
Real Madrid’s coach, Carlo Ancelotti, acknowledged the increased difficulty in defending their title following the loss to Valencia. Despite the setback, Ancelotti insisted that the team remains committed to fighting for the league until the end.
Barcelona will face Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League quarterfinals on Wednesday, while Real Madrid will play against Arsenal on Tuesday.
In other LaLiga action on Saturday, Celta Vigo secured a 2-1 win over Mallorca, and Alaves narrowly won 1-0 against Girona.