Teenager Diao scores dramatic late equaliser as Betis stun Barca to grab draw

Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick was sent off as Barcelona were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw against Real Betis at the Estadio Benito Villamarin, thanks to a 94th-minute equaliser by Assane Diao.

Robert Lewandowski put Barca ahead just before the break after a lovely combination between Lamine Yamal, Pedri and Jules Kounde laid the ball on the plate for an easy tap in for the Poland international to score his 16th La Liga goal of the season.

Real Betis were handed a way back into the game when former Barcelona player Vitor Roque was brought down in the box. Despite referee Alejandro Muniz waving away the home side’s claims, it was a VAR intervention which saw the penalty given, as Giovani Lo Celso powered home from the spot before Flick was shown a red card for dissent.

Barcelona thought they had won the clash as Ferran Torres beat the offside trap to put Barca ahead, with the initial goal cancelled out before a VAR review ruled the effort should stand.

But there was late drama as the home side scored a deserved equaliser deep into stoppage time as Aitor Ruibal found Diao, whose lovely flick went through the legs of Inigo Martinez and past Inaki Pena.

Barcelona are next in action in the UEFA Champions League as they face Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday, while Real Betis travel to face Petrocub on Thursday in the UEFA Conference League.

Barcelona went into Saturday’s match with a chance to go seven points clear of Real Madrid after Los Blancos dropped crucial points against Athletic Club but it was an underwhelming Barca performance, which opened the door for Real Betis, who deserved their point.

Inaki Pena kept his side in the clash multiple times as Barca failed to rip apart a side enduring a four-game winless run in the league, with Betis also lacking where it mattered most through the match.

Real Madrid make the trip to Girona in Saturday’s evening kick-off and should they win, Carlo Ancelotti’s men would close the gap to two points.

It is hard to find a player who truly excelled with each team having their flaws but Inaki Pena played a key part in keeping Barcelona in the clash until the bitter end. He had no chance of saving Lo Celso’s powerful strike from the spot, while his view was blocked for Real Betis’ second, but he stepped up when needed and was sometimes a one-man show for Barca as the home side tested him time and again.

With Marc-Andre ter Stegen sidelined for the foreseeable, Pena has stepped up and taken his place between the goalposts with confidence and maturity.

Real Betis: Vieites 7, Sabaly 7, Bartra 7, Llorente 7, Perraud 6, Flores 6, Altimira 7, Chimy 6, Lo Celso 7, Ezzalzouli 7, Vitor Roque 7 Subs: Ruibal 7, Isco 6, Diao 7, Rodriguez 6

Barcelona: Pena 8, Kounde 7, Cubarsi 6, Martinez 6, Balde 7, Pedri 7, Casado 6, Olmo 6, Yamal 7, Lewandowski 7, Raphinha 6 Subs: de Jong 6, Torres 7, Gavi 6, Pau Victor 6, Hector Fort 5

2′ OFF THE LINE They’ve already had two corners in the opening minute. Their second corner finds Llorente at the back post, whose header is goalwards before a crucial goalline interception by Raphinha.

4′ NEARLY AGAIN FOR BETIS Ezzalzouli is free on goal and he just has Inaki Pena to beat in goal, but the Barca goalkeeper is able to push it out for a corner.

39′ GOAL! REAL BETIS 0-1 BARCELONA (LEWANDOWSKI) The deadlock has been broken. A lovely combination on the right with Kounde, Pedri and Yamal, before Kounde lays a beautiful ball in the path of Robert Lewandowski. It’s an easy tap in for the frontman but he’ll take it as he makes 16 goals this season in La Liga.

55′ WHAT A SAVE! Abde Ezzalzouli is denied once again by Inaki Pena, who pulls off an incredible save

67′ PENALTY FOR REAL BETIS! It took several replays but it’s a penalty. Frenkie de Jong seems to push Vitor Rogue in the penalty box. Lo Celso to take.

68′ GOAL! REAL BETIS 1-1 BARCELONA (LO CELSO) A deserved goal for Real Betis. Inaki Pena goes the right way but Giovani Lo Celso’s penalty has enough power to make it impossible to save.

68′ RED CARD FOR HANSI FLICK! The Barca boss is shown a red card for arguing with the referee about that decision.

82′ GOAL! REAL BETIS 1-2 BARCELONA (TORRES) It’s given. It’s a lovely through ball by Lamine Yamal to play in Ferran Torres, who beats the offside trap to put Barca ahead again. Aitor Rubal’s trailing leg played Torres onside.

90+4′ GOAL! REAL BETIS 2-2 BARCELONA (DIAOUNE) Oh my! There is late drama and it’s the home side with the equaliser. It’s a perfect cross by Aitor Ruibal and it’s a lovely flick by Assane Diao to awaken the home crowd. Betis have deserved a point in this.