FC Barcelona missed the chance to secure a crucial win at the Benito Villamarín, settling for a 2-2 draw against Real Betis in a match filled with drama and controversy. The highlight of the night was the expulsion of Barcelona’s head coach Hansi Flick, who received a red card in the 66th minute for protesting a referee’s decision.

Flick’s Expulsion

The incident that led to Flick’s dismissal occurred after the referee, following a VAR review, awarded a penalty to Betis for a handball by Frenkie de Jong inside the area. An irate Flick stepped out of his technical area and confronted the fourth official, prompting the referee to show him a red card.

The penalty was successfully converted by Borja Iglesias, leveling the score at 1-1 after Robert Lewandowski had given Barcelona the lead in the first half.

A Dramatic Ending

Despite Flick’s absence on the sideline, Barcelona regained the lead in the 83rd minute when Ferran Torres expertly finished a cross from the promising Lamine Yamal. However, the joy was short-lived, as Assane Diao scored a dramatic equalizer for Betis in the 90+4th minute, leaving Barcelona frustrated.

Consequences for Barcelona

Flick’s expulsion could lead to a suspension, sidelining him for upcoming matches—a significant setback as the coach faces increasing scrutiny due to the team’s inconsistent performances.

The draw also leaves Barcelona in a precarious position in the LaLiga EA Sports standings, intensifying the pressure on Flick and the squad to deliver results in the coming fixtures.