Raphinha gave Barcelona the lead against Real Betis at the Spotify Camp Nou on Friday evening, putting the Catalan club on course to become the first team in La Liga history to win every home match in a single season.
The Brazilian winger scored with a free-kick in the 28th minute, catching Betis goalkeeper Alvaro Valles off guard. Barcelona manager Hansi Flick fielded a strong starting eleven despite having already secured the La Liga title, with Robert Lewandowski making his final appearance at the Camp Nou.
Raphinha’s goal came during a match where Barcelona aimed to complete a perfect 19-for-19 record at home this season. While the season has presented challenges for the winger, this strike offers a potential high note to conclude the campaign. He joined Barcelona from Leeds United in 2022, initially as a replacement for Ousmane Dembélé, and has become a regular contributor, though consistency has been a talking point.
The match also marked a farewell appearance for Lewandowski, who has been a key figure in Barcelona’s attack since his arrival from Bayern Munich in 2022. His departure raises questions about Barcelona’s forward line ahead of next season, and the club will likely be active in the transfer market to find a suitable replacement. Barcelona’s dominant form throughout the season has established them as one of the favourites for the Champions League next season.
Real Betis, meanwhile, are aiming to secure a European qualification spot and will need to respond to Raphinha’s opener to maintain their chances. The Seville-based club have enjoyed a solid season under Manuel Pellegrini, and a strong finish could see them competing in either the Champions League or Europa League next term. Securing a result at the Camp Nou would be a significant step towards achieving that goal.
