Barcelona defeated Real Betis 3-1 at Camp Nou to extend their dominant La Liga season, with Raphinha's double and João Cancelo's late strike securing a commanding victory.
Barcelona maintained their grip on first place with a convincing performance against Real Betis on May 17. The hosts controlled proceedings from start to finish, showcasing the attacking prowess that has defined their title-winning campaign. Betis offered little resistance despite pulling one back through a penalty kick.
The home side struck early when Raphinha opened the scoring in the 28th minute. The Brazilian winger finished with precision after Barcelona's midfield orchestrated play through the center. This early goal set the tone for a dominant first-half display.
Barcelona controlled possession with 63 percent of the ball in the opening period. They created space consistently and tested Betis's defense with 13 total shots. Raphinha proved the standout threat, firing four shots on target from five attempts throughout the match.
Jules Koundé received a yellow card in the 38th minute as Barcelona's intensity occasionally crossed into rough play. Despite this, the hosts maintained their advantage heading into halftime with a one-goal lead.
The second half began with Barcelona searching for a second goal. Raphinha doubled his tally in the 62nd minute, capitalizing on another well-constructed Barcelona move. The winger's two-goal haul capped a dominant individual performance rated 9.5 out of 10.
Betis pulled one back from the penalty spot four minutes later when Isco converted in the 66th minute. The away side's brief moment of hope proved short-lived as Barcelona reasserted control. The visitors managed only two shots on target across the entire 90 minutes.
João Cancelo sealed the victory in the 74th minute with a composed finish. The defender's goal reflected Barcelona's complete dominance in the final third. Cancelo's contribution highlighted Barcelona's attacking depth beyond their primary forwards.
Barcelona's statistics underlined their superiority. They recorded 7 shots on target compared to Betis's 2. Expected goals favored the hosts at 1.06 to 0.97, though Barcelona's clinical finishing exceeded their xG total. Pedri provided one assist while creating three key passes from midfield.
The victory keeps Barcelona on course for a commanding league title. With 91 points from 36 matches, they hold a commanding position at the top. Betis remains fifth with 57 points, their inconsistent form continuing to limit their top-four ambitions.
Barcelona's next test comes as the season enters its final stages. Their attacking form and defensive solidity suggest the title race is effectively decided. Betis must rebuild momentum quickly to secure European qualification.
