Barcelona clinch Champions League berth with win over Betis
Sports Desk, May 7 (EFE).- Jordi Alba’s goal in stoppage time powered Barcelona 2-1 over Real Betis on Saturday, a result that ensures the Blaugrana will finish no lower than fourth in LaLiga and can count on competing in the 2022-2023 Champions League.
Barça are now second with 69 points, 11 better than fifth-place Betis, who have just three games left in a season that saw Real Madrid run away with the title.
Betis, the 2022 Copa del Rey winners, may yet get into the top four, but it will have to be at the expense of Sevilla (64 points) or Atletico Madrid.
The first half of the contest at Seville’s Benito Villamarin stadium featured chances at both ends, yet the score remained 0-0 until the 76th minute, when the visitors Ansu Fati scored on his second touch seconds after replacing Ferran Torres.
The home side equalized just three minutes later as former Barcelona man Marc Bartra headed in Nabil Fekir’s free kick.
Neither squad was prepared to settle for a draw and the final stretch was action-packed. The match was in the 94th minute when Betis suffered a defensive lapse that allowed Alba to win it for Barcelona. EFE agr/dr
