Barcelona in charge in Spain despite draw as Real Madrid lose to Valencia
Barcelona extended their lead at the top of the Spanish La Liga standings despite being held to a frustrating 1-1 home draw by Real Betis Saturday night.
The draw moves Hansi Flick's Barca on to 67 points, four ahead of rivals Real Madrid, who dropped to a shock 2-1 defeat at home by Valencia earlier on Saturday.
Betis climbed to fifth on 48 points.
Gavi opened the scoring for Barca with a neat finish off great work from Ferran Torres.
Betis struck back from a corner on 17 minutes via Natan to draw level.
Barcelona, the UEFA Champions League quarter finals on their mind perhaps failed to push past Adrian in the Betis goal for a winner, leaving two points on the table as the title race ensues.
Madrid on the other hand lost at home to Valencia to leave manager Carlo Ancelotti with no other option than to accept that the title is now out of their hands with Barcelona taking a four point lead with eight matches left to play.
Ancelotti acknowledged that winning La Liga had become a long shot but that it should not affect their Copa del Rey and Champions League campaigns.
"We have lost the opportunity to fight for the league with more forcefulness, but the (Spanish Cup final) against Barcelona and the Arsenal clash will be different," Ancelotti told a press conference on Saturday.
"(Arsenal and Barcelona) will attack more, and the game script will be much different. Sure, we will have to be better at the back and be effective up front, but can't lose focus."
Also Saturday, Girona lost 1-0 at home to Alaves, while Celta Vigo won 2-1 away from home at Mallorca.
La Liga matches Sunday 6 April 2025
17.15: Sevilla V Atletico Madrid
19.30: Valladolid V Getafe
22.00: Villareal V Athletic Club