Latest Real Betis News & Updates

Braga, April 10 (IANS) Cucho Hernandez’s second-half penalty cancelled out an early Florian Grillitsch opener as Braga and Real Betis settled for a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League quarterfinals tie.The tie is fascinatingly poised ahead of the return in Seville next week after a tight, engaging affair at Estádio Municipal de Braga ended all square.Braga got off to a lightning start, Diego Rodrigues delivering a low corner and Grillitsch applying a delightful improvised flic…

Madrid, April 5 (IANS) FC Barcelona took a massive step towards winning this season’s La Liga title with a 2-1 win away to Atletico Madrid, while Real Madrid lost to Mallorca with the same score.The result gives Barcelona a seven-point lead at the top of La Liga with eight matches left. Robert Lewandowski scored the decisive goal in the 87th minute after a brilliant action from Joao Cancelo, who turned the defense inside out before hitting a shot from close range that Atletico goalkeeper Juan Mu…

Madrid, March 23 (IANS) Barcelona took a four-point lead over Real Madrid into the international break after grinding out a 1-0 home win over Rayo Vallecano, while Madrid beat Atletico Madrid 3-2 in a lively derby.Atletico struck first at the Santiago Bernabeu when Giuliano Simeone combined neatly with Ademola Lookman, who opened the scoring in the 33rd minute.Vinicius Junior leveled from the penalty spot 10 minutes after halftime after David Hancko fouled Brahim Diaz, and poor defending from Jo…

Madrid, March 20 (IANS) Real Betis overturned a first-leg deficit to reach the Europa League quarterfinals with a 4-0 home win over Panathinaikos, advancing 4-1 on aggregate. Betis, which lost 1-0 in Athens last week, drew level in the tie early on when Cucho Hernandez struck the crossbar with a powerful effort and Aitor Ruibal reacted quickest to convert the rebound.The Spanish side dominated possession for long spells, with Antony going close before Betis doubled the lead just before halftime …

Madrid, March 18 (IANS) Real Betis need to overturn a 1-0 first-leg defeat to Greek side Panathinaikos on Thursday to reach the quarterfinals of the Europa League. The Spanish side Celta Vigo will also have some work to do in the competition.Vicente Taborda’s 88th-minute penalty gave the Greek side the edge in Athens a week ago, leaving Betis with work to do at the Estadio de la Cartuja.Both teams finished last week’s match with 10 men, with Anass Zaroury sent off for Panathinaikos just before t…

Madrid, Feb 19 (IANS) There is a new leader in La Liga for the 25th round of matches after Real Madrid overtook FC Barcelona last weekend, but Alvaro Arbeloa’s side has a difficult away game on Saturday, travelling to Pamplona to face Osasuna at the hostile El Sadar stadium.Real travel after Tuesday’s 1-0 win away to Benfica in the Champions League, and Arbeloa will rotate his side against a team with three wins and two draws in the last five matches.A lot of attention will be on Osasuna forward…

Madrid, Feb 6 (IANS) Atletico Madrid delivered a convincing performance to claim the semifinal spot in Spain’s Copa del Rey with a 5-0 rout of Real Betis.Betis threatened early through Ez Abde, but Atletico quickly seized control and dominated the first half. David Hancko opened the scoring with a near-post header from a Koke corner, and the visitors never looked back.New signing Ademola Lookman was heavily involved from the outset, missing one chance when sent through on goal and firing over af…

Valencia, Feb 5 (IANS) Inaki Williams scored a 96th-minute winner to see Athletic Bilbao beat Valencia 2-1 to reach the semifinal of the Copa del Rey.The forward came on as a substitute to volley home a cross from his brother Nico when it looked as if the game was heading for extra time, Xinhua reports.Athletic coach Ernesto Valverde made 10 changes to the side that drew 1-1 at home to Real Sociedad on Sunday, but his side took the lead in the 27th minute when Umar Sadiq flicked Robert Navarro’s…

Madrid, Jan 16 (IANS) FC Barcelona advanced into the quarterfinal of the Copa del Rey with a 2-0 win away to second division leader Racing Santander on Thursday night.Racing defended deep in the first half, and a Barcelona side that started without Pedri, Raphinha or Robert Lewandowski was unable to trouble home goalkeeper Jokin Ezkieta, report Xinhua.Ferran Torres scored the opener on 65 minutes after an excellent pass from Fermin Lopez, and Ezkieta made two excellent saves to keep the score do…

Madrid, Jan 15 (IANS) Alvaro Arbeloa’s debut as Real Madrid coach ended in a shock exit from the Copa del Rey after a 3-2 defeat away to second-tier Albacete.Arbeloa showed faith in the Castilla B-team from which he has just been promoted, with youngsters Jorge Cestero and David Jimenez in his starting 11.The game was played in a foggy Carlos Belmonte Stadium in Albacete and the hosts, who also rested plenty of regular starters, took the lead in the 42nd minute when Javi Villar opened the scorin…