Ten-man Barcelona needed an injury-time goal to secure a 2-2 draw at Real Betis on Saturday in coach Pep Guardiola's final La Liga game 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 (pictured) staring at defeat until Seydou Keita headed in an equalizer in the dying moments.

The departing coach can look back with satisfaction on four seasons in which he won 13 trophies including three leagues titles before Real Madrid triumphed this season.

His final game will be on May 25 when his side takes on Athletic Bilbao in the Spanish Cup final.

"I have no idea what memories I leave the league with. I hope they are good ones that last a long time," said Guardiola.

"But I don't think the league will miss me too much, it was here before me and will continue after me."

On the dismissal of Alves and the Brazilian defender's future at the club, Guardiola was more forthcoming.

"After Dani's red card it was a different game and we lost control a bit as it's hard to play with 10 men," said the Barca boss.

"Dani's future at the club does not depend on me, but in my opinion he is irreplaceable. Not many players can do what he does and I hope he remains important to the club in the coming years."

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 freekick just moments later.

On 31 minutes, fullback Adriano burst into the area and curled a right-footed shot that produced a top-draw save from Casto Espinosa in the Betis goal.

Then Xavi again went close with a curling freekick 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.

Agence France-Presse in Madrid

(China Daily 05/14/2012 page23)