Barça Held to 2-2 at Betis, Real Madrid Closes Gap with Girona Victory
La Liga leaders FC Barcelona dropped vital points on Saturday after being held to a dramatic 2-2 draw away to Real Betis. Robert Lewandowski opened the scoring for Barça with a powerful header in the 39th minute. However, the home side equalized when Giovani Lo Celso converted a penalty awarded by VAR, following a challenge by Frenkie de Jong on Vitor Roque, who is currently on loan at Betis from Barcelona.
Tensions escalated as Barça’s coach, Hansi Flick, was sent off for his vehement protests against the penalty decision. The Catalan giants thought they had secured victory when Ferran Torres found the back of the net in the 82nd minute. But Betis had other plans, snatching a point deep into injury time thanks to Assane Diao’s clever back-heel goal off an assist from Aitor Ruibal.
The result allowed Real Madrid to move within striking distance of the top spot. After a shaky start against Girona, Real Madrid broke the deadlock in the 36th minute through Jude Bellingham. The momentum shifted, and ten minutes into the second half, Bellingham set up Arda Guler to double the lead. Kylian Mbappé sealed the 3-0 victory with a signature finish in the 62nd minute. The only concern for Madrid was Bellingham’s substitution due to a suspected muscle problem shortly after the hour mark.
Elsewhere, Sandro Ramirez starred for Las Palmas, netting twice in their 2-1 win over bottom-side Valladolid, who continue their search for a new head coach. Marcos Andre had momentarily leveled the score for Valladolid, but Ramirez’s stunning curling shot into the top corner in the 64th minute secured the win for the hosts.
Valencia’s woes deepened as they suffered a 1-0 defeat at home to Rayo Vallecano, leaving them second from bottom in the standings. Pathe Ciss scored the lone goal early in the match, heading home at the near post. Despite Valencia’s efforts in the second half, including close attempts from substitute Rafa Mir, they couldn’t find an equalizer.
The round kicked off on Friday night with Celta Vigo claiming a 2-0 victory over an off-form Mallorca. Hugo Alvarez put Celta ahead after a swift counter-attack, with his shot deflecting in off the post just after the half-hour mark. Veteran striker Iago Aspas secured the win with a first-time finish in the 82nd minute, as Mallorca continued to struggle following their heavy defeat to Barcelona earlier in the week.
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Barca held to 2-2 at Betis, Real close on leaders with win at Girona
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