Barcelona beat Betis 3-1, Lewandowski farewell

Barcelona beat Real Betis 3-1 at Spotify Camp Nou on Sunday in Robert Lewandowski’s final home match for the club, closing out their home league campaign with a perfect record. Raphinha scored twice and João Cancelo added a late third as Hansi Flick’s side moved to 19 home wins from 19 La Liga matches. Lewandowski, who announced this weekend that he will leave at the end of the season, started with the captain’s armband and was applauded off before postgame tributes with his family on the pitch. The result came with the title already secured, but Barcelona still added a league milestone. The club’s official match report said no team had won all 19 home fixtures since La Liga expanded to 20 teams in 1987, and Barcelona completed that run in their last home game of the season. Associated Press also reported the win as Lewandowski’s farewell appearance in front of Barcelona supporters. (fcbarcelona.com) ### How did Barcelona win the game? Raphinha put Barcelona ahead in the 28th minute with a free-kick after having already tested Betis goalkeeper Álvaro Valles. The Brazilian struck again early in the second half after a mistake by Héctor Bellerín left the ball in his path, according to Barcelona’s report of the match. (fcbarcelona.com) Real Betis pulled one back when Isco converted a penalty after a VAR review, cutting the deficit to 2-1. João Cancelo restored Barcelona’s two-goal lead with about 15 minutes remaining, scoring from outside the area to settle the match at 3-1. La Liga’s match page lists the final score and the key late events, including Isco’s 74th-minute penalty and Cancelo’s goal a minute later. (fcbarcelona.com) ### Why was Lewandowski the focus of the night? Robert Lewandowski announced on May 16 that he would leave Barcelona at the end of the season after four years at the club. Marca reported that the 37-year-old departs after scoring 119 goals in 192 appearances, while other reports on May 16 and May 17 described his contract as ending in June. (fcbarcelona.com) Barcelona said Lewandowski was moved to tears by the ovation he received when he was substituted late in the match. After the final whistle, the club said, he returned to the field with his family to address supporters, while Marca reported that teammates lifted him during the farewell. (marca.com) ### What record did Barcelona seal at Camp Nou? Barcelona finished their home league season 19 for 19, a number that gave the evening weight beyond the farewell. The club said that no side had managed a clean sweep of home matches in the 20-team La Liga era, and several match reports described it as a historic first under the current format. (fcbarcelona.com) The 3-1 score also completed what Barcelona called a perfect home season in the league. AP reported the club had already won the title before Sunday’s match, making the final home date a celebration as much as a competitive fixture. ### What else was marked around the match? (fcbarcelona.com) May 17 also marked 20 years since Barcelona’s 2006 Champions League final victory over Arsenal in Paris. Coverage around the match said the club used the Betis game to honor that anniversary, bringing former members of the 2005-06 side and staff into the matchday celebrations. (apnews.com) The evening therefore carried two ceremonies at once: a club anniversary and a player farewell. Barcelona’s official report said the match ended with Lewandowski thanking fans on the field, while outside reports described the postgame scene as emotional and centered on his departure. (tribuna.com) ### What comes next for Barcelona and Lewandowski? Barcelona’s official first-team schedule lists the club’s final league match away to Valencia on May 23 at 21:00 peninsular Spain time. That fixture is the last step in the domestic season after the home farewell to Lewandowski. Lewandowski’s next club has not been named in the sources reviewed. (fcbarcelona.com) What Barcelona has confirmed through match coverage and surrounding reports is that his home career with the club ended on May 17 with a win, a captain’s armband and a postgame sendoff at Camp Nou. (fcbarcelona.com)