Barcelona held to 2-2 draw at Real Betis after late Diao strike

SEVILLE: LaLiga leaders Barcelona had to settle for a 2-2 draw at Real Betis after substitute Assane Diao scored a stoppage-time equaliser on Saturday to give Manuel Pellegrini cause to celebrate in his 500th LaLiga game as a manager.

The visitors, who have a provisional five-point lead at the top, opened the scoring in the 39th minute through a flowing move orchestrated by Lamine Yamal and neatly finished by Robert Lewandowski for his 16th league goal of the season.

Betis showed more intent after the break and Giovani Lo Celso levelled with a spot kick but teenager Yamal’s brilliance again shone through as he threaded a well-disguised ball to substitute Ferran Torres who scored in the 82nd minute.

Barcelona looked on course for a win at the Benito Villamarin Stadium but Diao’s 94th-minute backheel flick ensured the hosts earned a share of the points. Barca have 38 points ahead of second-placed Real Madrid who have two games in hand.

Earlier, Barcelona manager Hansi Flick decided not to rest Raphinha for their LaLiga match at Real Betis.

Flick opted to rest LaLiga top-scorer Robert Lewandowski, who started 20 straight matches in all competitions, for Barcelona’s 5-1 victory at Mallorca, in which Raphinha scored twice.

Asked if it could be the Brazilian’s turn to be rested on the weekend, Flick told reporters: “We need Rapha. When he is available, he will play.

“If he’s ready for 90 minutes, then he’ll play 90 minutes. So is Lewandowski, who will also play tomorrow.”

Barcelona, who top the LaLiga standings with 37 points from 16 matches, snapped a three-game winless run in the league with the victory over Mallorca.

The Catalan outfit will be looking to continue their momentum and face 10th-placed Real Betis, who are winless in their last four league matches.

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