AFCON 2025
Assane Diao’s goal in added time denied Barcelona of securing maximum points over Real Betis at the Estadio Benito Villamarin on Saturday afternoon.
The young Spanish forward came as a second half substitute to draw the home side level in a match that saw Barcelona’s coach Hansi Flick got sent off.
Real Betis started the match quite well as they created two big chances in the opening stages of the game.
The opening minutes saw both sides go at each other for the first goal of the match.
Lamine Yamal came close to scoring the opening goal as he powered a strike towards goal from.a tight angle only to be denied by Rui Silva.
Robert Lewandowski eventually gave the Catalans the lead on the 39th minute from a well-placed shot from Jules Kounde’s pass.
The first half ended with Barcelona taking the lead into the break after a fiesty 45 minutes of football.
Real Betis started the second half with renewed drive as they sought to draw level in the match.
Chima Avil came close to equalizing for Real Betis but his shot destined for the bottom right corner of goal was comfortably saved.
Abde Ezzazouli also came close to putting the ball into the back of the net but his header from a rebound slightly went over the bar.
Eventually, Real Betis siege on Barcelona’s defense paid off as they were awarded a penalty on the 66th minute after a VAR review.
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick got sent off by the referee for what can be deacribed an unruly behavior when the penalty was called.
Giovani Lo Celso made no mistake as he placed the ball into the right corner of goal to restore parity.
With about 10 minutes to the end of regular time substitute Ferran Torres scored to give Barcelona the lead.
His celebration was put on hold for a few minutes for a VAR review but was eventually given.
Unfortunately, Real Betis 19-year-old forward Assane Diao came on a substitute to score a late equalizer on the 94th mimute.
The match ended 2-2 as Real Betis put an end to their five-game losing streak against Barcelona in the league.
