Culés cup feast

The team led by Hansi Flick reaches this tie with high morale after successfully beating Barbastro in the previous roundmaking clear its dominance with a forceful performance that reaffirmed his favoritism. Besides, FC Barcelona has just won the Spanish Super Cupwhere shone by beating Athletic Club first and, later, to Real Madrid (2-5) in an exciting final that consolidated the team’s good moment. This Barça, which combines engaging gameplay with a winning mentalityis presented in this decisive duel with the aim of prolonging their positive streak and clearing up any doubts that have arisen in recent games.

Ronald Araujo offering the Super Cup to the culé fans. Source: FC Barcelona

Real Betis arrives at this tie in the middle of a complicated dynamicreflection of a season full of ups and downs. In your last league commitmentthose of Pellegrini They were defeated (1-0) against Valladolidin a match where the team showed a lack of solidity and could not find answers against a rival who knew how to take advantage of his opportunities. At the moment away from the European positions in the tablethe green and white face this duel with need to reverse their bad streak and recover the confidence lost in recent days. This meeting is presented as a crucial challenge for a team that seeks to rediscover its best version.

The match began with an electric rhythm and notable verticality on the part of Barça, which was quickly reflected on the scoreboard. In the 4th minute, Pedri led a great play that, after a precise touch from Olmo, left the ball to Gavi, who finished in a devastating manner, giving the rival defense no options. Just three minutes later, Betis tried to react with a corner kick, but the play had no consequences. In the 8th minute, Veites shone with a great save after a good shot by Olmo, keeping the Betic team in the game. The first ten minutes were marked by a dizzying level, with both teams constantly searching for the rival area. In the 11th minute, Lamine Yamal assisted Raphinha, who left a free ball for Olmo, but his powerful shot went wide.

The pace did not slow down and, in the 17th minute, Betis suffered a major setback when Ruibal had to be substituted after an ankle injury. In the 19th minute, Barça almost scored the second goal with a shot from Olmo to the post, and on the rebound, Raphinha forced Veites to show off with another excellent intervention. In the 27th minute, the dominance of the culé team was seen when Lamine Yamal executed a spectacular pass that Koundé converted into a goal with a good shot of the ball, making the score 2-0.

Great shot from the French side to make it 2-0. Source: FC Barcelona

In the first half hour of play, Barça showed clear superiority against a Betis team that was very defensive and lacked ideas to counteract the culé dominance. In the 31st minute, Lamine Yamal shone again with another of his antics on the wing, culminating in a back pass for G. Martín, but the Betic defense managed to clear the danger in extremis. Barça’s control was evident throughout the first half, while Betis barely managed to disturb the rival goal.

Already in the added time of the first part, In the 46th minute, Iñaki Peña made a key intervention when he made a great handball that prevented Betis from winning after a dangerous shot. It was one of the few outstanding actions by the culé goalkeeper, who had had little work until that moment, but responded with confidence at the most necessary moment.

Barça had a great first half, dominating both in attack and defense. With a dizzying pace of play and suffocating pressure, the culés did not allow Betis to feel comfortable or find their place on the pitch. The Andalusian team was lost during the first 45 minutesunable to impose their rhythm against a Barça that controlled all aspects of the match.

Great minutes from Lamine Yamal, standing out in every attacking play of his team. Source: FC Barcelona

In the first 5 minutes of the second half, Barça came out determined to have total control of the matchseeking to move Betis throughout the field with long and precise possessions. In the 55th minute, a great pass from F. de Jong and a subtle hit from Lamine ended in a goalbut once again the VAR annulled the culé score, stopping the momentary euphoria.

In the 58th minute, Barça sealed the game with a great counterattackwhich began with a spectacular run by Lamine, who showed his antics before assisting Raphinha. The Brazilian did not hesitate and hit the ball to make the score 3-0practically ensuring victory before game time. In the 67th minute, a good pass from Olmo, who overcame the rival defense, reached Ferranwho, in his first intervention, did not fail and scored the fourth goal, definitively closing Barça’s qualification for the quarterfinals.

Another goal from the Brazilian in the great season he is having with Barça. Source: FC Barcelona

In the 73rd minute, Betis had a great chance with a tight shot from Johnnybut he had no luck in front of goal, and the ball went wide, missing the opportunity to shorten the distance.

3 minutes into that play, Lamine Yamal put his hand on the scoreboardwith a touch of suspense that further elevated the culé party in the match. The goal, which came with some uncertainty, definitively sealed Barça’s absolute dominancewhich already enjoyed an incontestable advantage.

Gamer!!! Source: FC Barcelona

In the last minutes and with the game already closed, the culé team He continued with the high pace he showed throughout the matchgenerating more scoring chances and seeking to further extend the distance on the scoreboard.

However, A few minutes later, the former FC Barcelona player, Vitor Roque, had the opportunity to score for Betis from the penalty spot.. With that goal, he tried to make up for the result, although it was too late to change the fate of the match.

FC Barcelona has completed a magnificent match against a rival with a good identity like Betisbut did not find his level at any time during the 90 minutes. The culé team has been a steamroller, dominating from start to finishand has left the Beticos without options, ending with a resounding victory that certifies their superiority in today’s match.

Real Betis XI (4-2-3-1): F.Veites (P); A.Ruibal (Sabaly 20′); M.Bartra (D.Llorente 46′); Nathan; Perraud; Johnny; S.Altimira (M.Flores 46′); Isco (Losada 64′); J.Rodriguez; Juanmi (P.Fornals 64′); Vitor Roque

Coach: Manuel Pelegrini

XI FC Barcelona (4-2-3-1): I. Peña (P) ; Koundé; P. Cubarsi; R.Araujo (E.García 64′); Gerard Martin; F. De Jong; Pedri (P.Victor 70′); Gavi (Fermin 70′); Lamine Yamal (P.Torre 77′); Raphinha (F. Torres 64′); D. Olmo

Real Betis Scorers: Vitor Roque (84′)

Real Betis Warnings: M.Bartra (42′), M.Flores (86′)

FC Barcelona Scorers: Gavi (3′), Koundé (27′), Raphinha (58′), Ferran (67′), Lamine Yamal (76′)

FC Barcelona Warnings: Raphinha (50′), Gavi (63′)

Main Referee: José María Sánchez Martínez

VAR referee: Daniel Jesús Trujillo Suárez

Estadio: Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium (Capacity 55,926 spectators)

Bottom line. Source: FC Barcelona