Ten-man Barcelona needed a stoppage-time goal to secure a 2-2 draw at Real Betis Balompie on Saturday in coach Pep Guardiola’s final La Liga match in charge.
Sergi Busquets got an early goal for the Catalans, before they had Dani Alves sent off early in the second half.
Ruben Castro took full advantage of the numerical difference to score twice for Betis in the final 20 minutes, leaving Guardiola staring at defeat until Seydou Keita headed in an equalizer in the dying moments.
Photo: AFP
The departing coach can look back with satisfaction on four seasons in which he has won 13 trophies, including three leagues titles before Real Madrid triumphed this season.
His final game will be on May 25 when his side take on Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey final.
“I have no idea what memories I leave the league with. I hope they are good ones that last a long time, but I don’t think the league will miss me too much, it was here before me and will continue after me,” Guardiola said.
Lionel Messi was unable to add to his 50 league goals on a quiet night for the Argentine.
Ibrahim Affelay had already missed a good chance a minute before Busquets put Barca ahead on nine minutes, flicking home a near post header from a Xavi corner.
Messi tried from distance on 17 minutes and Xavi went close with a floated free-kick just moments later.
On 31 minutes, fullback Adriano burst into the area and curled a right-foot shot that produced a top draw save from Casto Espinosa in the Betis goal.
Then Xavi again went close with a curling free-kick as Barca dominated the first period.
Casto came to Betis’ rescue again just after the break, saving well from Keita, before Betis burst into life.
Victor Valdes saved at the feet of Ruben Castro, before Dani Alves received his marching orders for a second booking after a clumsy foul on Jefferson Montero.
Betis leveled on 70 minutes when Castro chipped Valdes after being sent clear from a long ball out of defense.
Four minutes later, Castro made it 16 for the season when he coolly slipped the ball past Valdes after a delightful pass from Benat Etxebarria.
Messi almost leveled when he slammed a free-kick against the post in the final minute, before Keita scored with a powerful header in stoppage-time to save a point for Guardiola.
In the night’s other game, third-placed Valencia slumped to a 1-0 loss at Real Sociedad.
Antoinne Griezmann got the only goal from close range in the second half after good wing play by Xabi Prieto.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan on Saturday won the men’s doubles bronze medal at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, after they were bested by the hosts in their semi-final. The Taiwanese shuttlers lost to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, who advanced to yesterday’s final against Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzudin. The Chinese pair outplayed Lee and Yang in straight games. Although the Taiwanese got off to a slow start in the first game, they eventually tied it 14-14, before Liang and Wang went on to blow past them to win 21-17. In the second game, Lee and