In a dramatic round 30 of La Liga on April 6, 2025, Barcelona faced a challenging match against Real Betis, resulting in a disappointing 1-1 draw, while Real Madrid suffered a shocking 1-2 defeat at home to Valencia.
Real Madrid, looking to capitalize on Barcelona's slip, hosted Valencia at the Santiago Bernabeu with hopes of closing the gap in the title race. The match started with high intensity as Federico Valverde's long pass found Kylian Mbappe, who was fouled by Cesar Tarrega in the box. The referee awarded a penalty after a VAR review, but Vinicius Junior's attempt was saved by Valencia's goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili.
Just two minutes later, Valencia struck first. In the 11th minute, Diego Lopez's corner kick found Mouctar Diakhaby, who headed the ball into the net, giving Valencia a 1-0 lead. Although Real Madrid had a chance to equalize when Diakhaby inadvertently sent the ball into his own net in the 21st minute, the goal was disallowed due to an offside call against Mbappe.
Real Madrid finally found the back of the net in the 50th minute. Luka Modric's corner was headed by Jude Bellingham to Vinicius, who scored to level the match at 1-1. However, despite dominating possession and creating numerous chances, Real Madrid was unable to find a second goal. The game took a heartbreaking turn in the fifth minute of stoppage time when Diego Lopez assisted Rafa Mir, who crossed for Hugo Duro to head in the winning goal, sealing a 2-1 victory for Valencia.
This unexpected defeat left Real Madrid four points behind Barcelona in the title race, an unideal result as they prepare for their upcoming Champions League clash against Arsenal.
Meanwhile, Barcelona entered their match against Real Betis with a chance to extend their lead at the top of the table. Prior to the match, Barcelona was undefeated in all competitions in 2025, while Real Betis had won six consecutive league matches. The stakes were high for both teams, with Barcelona aiming for a clear lead and Betis hoping to secure a Europa League spot.
The game kicked off with Barcelona immediately taking control. In the 7th minute, a well-executed one-touch passing sequence saw Gavi score with a precise shot, putting Barcelona ahead 1-0. However, Betis quickly responded. Just ten minutes later, Natan rose above the defense to head in a corner from Giovani Lo Celso, equalizing the score at 1-1.
Despite Barcelona's relentless attacks and numerous opportunities, including chances from Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres, they could not find the winning goal. Betis's goalkeeper Adrian made crucial saves, including stopping a close-range effort from Lamine Yamal in the 38th minute and another from Jules Kounde in the 55th minute.
Barcelona continued to press for a second goal in the second half, even introducing Raphinha to bolster their attack, but the visitors held firm. The match ended in a 1-1 draw, a result that allowed Barcelona to maintain their top position in La Liga with 67 points, four points clear of Real Madrid.
Gavi reflected on the match, stating, "Clearly, if we had won, we would have gone further ahead, but this is football. We had opportunities but couldn't capitalize on them, leaving us with a bitter taste in our mouths." Barcelona now looks ahead to their upcoming Champions League quarter-final against Borussia Dortmund, hoping to regain their momentum.
The draw means that the title race remains competitive, with both Barcelona and Real Madrid having eight rounds left to play, including the highly anticipated El Clasico in May. Real Betis, on the other hand, moved to fifth place in the league, continuing their impressive form.
As the season progresses, both teams must find consistency and capitalize on their chances to secure their respective goals, whether it be the title for Barcelona or a Champions League spot for Betis. The excitement of La Liga remains palpable as the final stretch of the season unfolds.
