Date: 29th September 2024
Competition: La Liga 2024-25
Venue: Estadio Benito Villamarín, Seville
In the latest installment of the 2024-25 La Liga season, Real Betis faced Espanyol in a tightly contested match that ended with a narrow 1-0 victory for the home team. Both sides were under pressure to improve their standings, with Real Betis needing a win to climb further up the table, while Espanyol sought points to escape the lower regions of the standings. The match was marked by fierce competition, with the deciding moment coming late in the game when Giovani Lo Celso’s clinical finish gave Real Betis a much-needed victory.
Real Betis vs Espanyol Head-to-Head Record
| Date | Result | Competition |
| 15 April 2023 | Real Betis 3-1 Espanyol | La Liga 2022-23 |
| 21 Jan 2023 | Espanyol 1-0 Real Betis | La Liga 2022-23 |
| 22 Jan 2022 | Espanyol 1-4 Real Betis | La Liga 2021-22 |
| 19 Sep 2021 | Real Betis 2-2 Espanyol | La Liga 2021-22 |
| 26 Jun 2020 | Real Betis 1-0 Espanyol | La Liga 2019-20 |
Real Betis vs Espanyol Lineups
Real Betis (4-2-3-1)
Coach: Manuel Pellegrini
- GK: Rui Silva
- RB: Héctor Bellerín
- CB: Diego Llorente
- CB: Natan
- LB: Ricardo Rodríguez
- CDM: Marc Roca
- CDM: Sergi Altimira
- RW: Abde Ezzalzouli
- CAM: Giovani Lo Celso
- LW: Iker Losada
- ST: Cédric Bakambu
Substitutes:
- Vitor Roque
- Pablo Fornals
- Aitor Ruibal
- Johnny Cardoso
- Assane Diao
Espanyol (4-4-2)
Coach: Luis García
- GK: Joan García
- RB: Omar El Hilali
- CB: Marash Kumbulla
- CB: Sergi Gómez
- LB: Carlos Romero
- RM: Jofre Carreras
- CM: José Gragera
- CM: Pol Lozano
- LM: Javi Puado
- ST: Walid Cheddira
- ST: Alex Král
Substitutes:
- Álvaro Tejero
- Irvin Cardona
- Alejo Veliz
- Pere Milla
Real Betis vs Espanyol First Half: A Battle of Defenses
The first half saw both teams creating chances but failing to convert them. Real Betis started brightly, with Cédric Bakambu testing Espanyol’s goalkeeper Joan García early on, but the keeper stood firm. Espanyol, on the other hand, looked dangerous on the counter, with Jofre Carreras and Walid Cheddira leading the charge.
Real Betis had a golden opportunity to take the lead in the 43rd minute when Abde Ezzalzouli won a penalty after a foul by Omar El Hilali. However, Ezzalzouli’s attempt was saved by García, keeping the score level. The first half ended 0-0, with Espanyol showing resilience at the back.
Real Betis vs Espanyol Second Half: Lo Celso’s Decisive Moment
The second half began with both sides eager to break the deadlock. Real Betis pushed forward, with Giovani Lo Celso and Marc Roca dictating the tempo. Espanyol continued to rely on their defensive solidity and looked for opportunities to hit Betis on the break.
In the 85th minute, Real Betis finally found the breakthrough. Giovani Lo Celso received the ball from Abde Ezzalzouli, made a quick move inside the box, and slotted a left-footed shot into the bottom left corner, putting the home side 1-0 up.
Espanyol threw everything forward in the final minutes, but Real Betis held firm to secure the win.
Real Betis vs Espanyol Stats
| Real Betis vs Espanyol Stats | Real Betis | Espanyol |
| Possession | 53.2% | 46.8% |
| Shots on Goal | 11 | 1 |
| Total Attempts | 20 | 8 |
| Fouls | 14 | 20 |
| Yellow Cards | 2 | 4 |
| Red Cards | 0 | 0 |
| Corner Kicks | 8 | 4 |
| Saves | 1 | 10 |
Real Betis vs Espanyol Timeline
- 1st Half:
- Both teams started cautiously, with Betis controlling possession and Espanyol trying to hit on the counter.
- The 43rd minute saw the biggest chance of the half when Ezzalzouli won a penalty for Betis, but his shot was saved by Joan García, keeping it 0-0 at halftime.
- 2nd Half:
- Real Betis ramped up the pressure, and in the 85th minute, Giovani Lo Celso broke the deadlock with a precise finish from the center of the box.
- Espanyol’s efforts to equalize were thwarted by a solid Betis defense, and the match ended 1-0.
Real Betis vs Espanyol Full-Time: Real Betis 1-0 Espanyol
Real Betis vs Espanyol Impact on the Table
With this win, Real Betis moved up to 12 points, maintaining their mid-table position and keeping their hopes alive for European qualification. Espanyol, with 7 points, remains near the relegation zone, needing to improve their form in upcoming fixtures to avoid falling deeper into trouble.
Real Betis vs Espanyol Player Achievements
- Man of the Match: Giovani Lo Celso (Real Betis)
Lo Celso not only scored the game-winning goal but also orchestrated the attack for Betis throughout the match, creating numerous opportunities for his teammates.
Real Betis vs Espanyol Commentary
Improved Commentary:
Full-time: Real Betis edge out Espanyol with a late goal to secure a 1-0 victory.
90+9′ The final whistle blows.
90+8′ Giovani Lo Celso wins a free kick for Real Betis.
90+8′ Álvaro Tejero fouls Giovani Lo Celso.
90+7′ Álvaro Aguado wins a free kick for Espanyol.
90+7′ Assane Diao fouls Álvaro Aguado.
90+6′ Omar El Hilali is shown a yellow card for a foul on Assane Diao.
90+5′ Giovani Lo Celso’s shot is saved.
90+2′ Espanyol win a corner.
90+2′ Alex Král misses a shot.
90+1′ Six minutes of added time will be played.
90′ Omar El Hilali fouls Assane Diao.
90′ Assane Diao wins a free kick for Real Betis.
88′ Pere Milla is offside.
88′ Assane Diao replaces Abde Ezzalzouli for Real Betis.
87′ Álvaro Aguado wins a free kick for Espanyol.
87′ Pablo Fornals fouls Álvaro Aguado.
87′ Alejo Véliz replaces Carlos Romero for Espanyol.
87′ Álvaro Aguado replaces Pol Lozano for Espanyol.
85′ Giovani Lo Celso scores the winning goal for Real Betis.
84′ Álvaro Tejero wins a free kick for Espanyol.
84′ Johnny Cardoso fouls Álvaro Tejero.
82′ Pol Lozano is shown a yellow card for a foul on Abde Ezzalzouli.
82′ Abde Ezzalzouli wins a free kick for Real Betis.
81′ Pablo Fornals’s shot is saved.
81′ Real Betis win a corner.
80′ Vitor Roque wins a free kick for Real Betis.
80′ Sergi Gómez fouls Vitor Roque.
80′ Giovani Lo Celso wins a free kick for Real Betis.
80′ José Gragera fouls Giovani Lo Celso.
79′ Johnny Cardoso replaces Sergi Altimira for Real Betis.
78′ Aitor Ruibal replaces Marc Roca for Real Betis.
77′ Play resumes after a brief stoppage for Sergi Altimira’s injury.
77′ Sergi Altimira is shown a yellow card for a foul on Pol Lozano.
76′ Pol Lozano wins a free kick for Espanyol.
76′ Sergi Altimira fouls Pol Lozano.
76′ Real Betis win a corner.
74′ Carlos Romero is shown a yellow card for a foul on Pablo Fornals.
74′ Pablo Fornals wins a free kick for Real Betis.
74′ Carlos Romero fouls Pablo Fornals.
73′ Carlos Romero’s shot is saved.
72′ Real Betis win a corner.
70′ Irvin Cardona fouls Pablo Fornals.
70′ Pablo Fornals wins a free kick for Real Betis.
70′ Álvaro Tejero fouls Pablo Fornals.
69′ Sergi Altimira wins a free kick for Real Betis.
69′ Pol Lozano fouls Sergi Altimira.
68′ Play resumes.
68′ Álvaro Tejero replaces Jofre Carreras for Espanyol.
68′ Irvin Cardona replaces Walid Cheddira for Espanyol.
66′ Delays in the match due to injuries to José Gragera and Diego Llorente.
66′ Pablo Fornals misses a shot.
65′ Pere Milla’s shot is blocked.
64′ Marc Roca is shown a yellow card for a foul on José Gragera.
64′ José Gragera wins a free kick for Espanyol.
64′ Marc Roca fouls José Gragera.
61′ Walid Cheddira handles the ball.
61′ Vitor Roque replaces Cédric Bakambu for Real Betis.
61′ Pablo Fornals replaces Iker Losada for Real Betis.
58′ José Gragera misses a header.
58′ Espanyol win a corner.
57′ Walid Cheddira wins a free kick for Espanyol.
57′ Diego Llorente fouls Walid Cheddira.
55′ Marc Roca handles the ball.
55′ Pere Milla replaces Javi Puado due to injury.
54′ Play resumes after a brief stoppage for Javi Puado’s injury.
54′ Real Betis win a corner.
53′ Abde Ezzalzouli’s shot is saved.
53′ Giovani Lo Celso wins a free kick for Real Betis.
53′ Walid Cheddira fouls Giovani Lo Celso.
52′ Real Betis win a corner.
52′ Giovani Lo Celso’s shot is saved.
51′ Play resumes after a brief stoppage for Javi Puado’s injury.
49′ Walid Cheddira fouls Diego Llorente.
49′ Diego Llorente wins a free kick for Real Betis.
48′ Walid Cheddira wins a free kick for Espanyol.
48′ Diego Llorente fouls Walid Cheddira.
48′ Iker Losada’s shot is blocked.
45′ Second half begins.
45+4′ First half ends.
45+3′ Abde Ezzalzouli handles the ball.
45+3′ Pol Lozano fouls Abde Ezzalzouli.
45+3′ Abde Ezzalzouli wins a free kick for Real Betis.
45+2′ Fourth official announces three minutes of added time.
45+1′ Walid Cheddira’s shot is blocked.
45′ Sergi Altimira misses a header.
45′ Abde Ezzalzouli’s penalty is saved.
43′ Penalty awarded to Real Betis. Abde Ezzalzouli draws a foul in the penalty area.
41′ Walid Cheddira wins a free kick for Espanyol.
41′ Marc Roca fouls Walid Cheddira.
40′ Giovani Lo Celso wins a free kick for Real Betis.
40′ Pol Lozano fouls Giovani Lo Celso.
38′ Carlos Romero misses a shot.
35′ Play resumes.
35′ Delay in the match.
34′ Giovani Lo Celso’s shot is saved.
34′ Marc Roca’s shot is blocked.
34′ Abde Ezzalzouli’s shot is saved.
32′ Marc Roca’s shot is blocked.
30′ Cédric Bakambu’s shot is blocked.
27′ Giovani Lo Celso wins a free kick for Real Betis.
27′ José Gragera fouls Giovani Lo Celso.
26′ Jofre Carreras is shown a yellow card for a foul on Abde Ezzalzouli.
26′ Abde Ezzalzouli wins a free kick for Real Betis.
25′ Natan fouls Alex Král.
25′ Alex Král wins a free kick for Espanyol.
24′ Walid Cheddira fouls Diego Llorente.
24′ Diego Llorente wins a free kick for Real Betis.
22′ Natan’s header is saved.
22′ Real Betis win a corner.
21′ Sergi Altimira’s shot is saved.
21′ Iker Losada’s shot is blocked.
20′ Iker Losada wins a free kick for Real Betis.
20′ Carlos Romero fouls Iker Losada.
18′ Jofre Carreras’s shot is blocked.
17′ Walid Cheddira wins a free kick for Espanyol.
17′ Natan fouls Walid Cheddira.
13′ Giovani Lo Celso misses a shot.
11′ Giovani Lo Celso wins a free kick for Real Betis.
11′ Marash Kumbulla fouls Giovani Lo Celso.
11′ Espanyol win a corner.
8′ José Gragera wins a free kick for Espanyol.
8′ Cédric Bakambu fouls José Gragera.
Real Betis vs Espanyol was a tense battle that saw the home side clinch a narrow victory. Giovani Lo Celso’s goal in the 85th minute proved to be the difference in a game defined by strong defensive displays and a saved penalty. Espanyol fought hard but ultimately lacked the firepower to challenge Betis consistently. The win helps Real Betis maintain momentum, while Espanyol faces a tough road ahead in their fight to avoid relegation.
FAQs
- Who scored the only goal in the Real Betis vs Espanyol match?
Giovani Lo Celso scored the winning goal for Real Betis in the 85th minute. - How did Espanyol perform in the Real Betis vs Espanyol match?
Espanyol defended resolutely and managed to keep the game goalless for 85 minutes, but they struggled offensively, managing only one shot on target. - What was the impact of the Real Betis vs Espanyol match on the points table?
Real Betis moved up to 12 points, solidifying their mid-table position, while Espanyol remained at 7 points, hovering just above the relegation zone. - Who was the Man of the Match in the Real Betis vs Espanyol?
Giovani Lo Celso was named Man of the Match for his decisive goal and all-around contribution to Real Betis’ midfield.
