The ex-Barça player Héctor Bellerín brings Barça closer to the League title

BarcelonaWhen it seemed that Real Madrid would secure the three points from La Cartuja and put pressure on Barça again, Héctor Bellerín appeared to bring the league closer, just a little more, for Hansi Flick's team (1-1). The former blaugrana's goal in added time of the second half leaves Álvaro Arbeloa's team eight points behind the azulgranas, which could be eleven if the Catalans win this Saturday at Getafe's ground (4:15 PM).

The match started with controversy from the outset. Brahim touched the ball with his hands inside the area, but neither the referee nor VAR considered it a punishable action to award a penalty. Álvaro Arbeloa's team recovered from this initial scare and found the goal through Vinícius's feet. The Brazilian collected a central rebound from goalkeeper Álvaro Valles from a long-range strike by Fede Valverde.

Betis tried and tried, but couldn't find the goal in any way. Meanwhile, the whites asked for a penalty for handball by Ricardo Rodríguez, which the referee did not consider sufficient to award the penalty. All of this, however, seemed to come to nothing because Arbeloa's men were close to adding the three points despite having had a dull match and putting a little more pressure on Barça.

But in the last play of the match —when everyone was already getting their calculators out again to know how many points Madrid would be left with in case of a blaugrana defeat at the Coliseum— the Catalan Héctor Bellerín appeared to end Álvaro Arbeloa's party. The ex-blaugrana picked up a rebound from Rüdiger to tie the duel and do justice. The whites claimed a slight hold by Antony on Mendy prior to the goal action, but the goal stood. "It's clear," complained the white coach, whining once more, at a press conference.

If Flick's team wins against Getafe and Osasuna, a draw against Madrid would be enough for them to be crowned champions —provided Madrid beats Espanyol—. As if that weren't enough, Mbappé ended up asking to be substituted due to a slight discomfort.