Real Betis edge Getafe as Ezzalzouli strike extends winning run
Real Betis made it four wins in a row in all competitions after beating Getafe 1-0 at the Benito Villamarín, a result that lifted Manuel Pellegrini’s side into third place in LaLiga.
Getafe arrived in Seville without a win in four matches and having lost each of their three league games away from home. Betis, by contrast, started the night chasing a fourth successive victory and another strong home performance.
Match highlight
The hosts were quickly on the front foot. Isco spotted David Soria off his line after a Getafe turnover and tried an ambitious effort from inside the visitors’ half, but the goalkeeper recovered in time to keep it out.
Getafe responded with their own warning. Marc Bernal’s misplaced headed pass almost sent Iván Azón through, before Nemanja Gudelj tested Álvaro Valles with a shot from around 20 metres.
Betis continued to ask more questions. Antony cut inside from the right and bent a shot towards goal from inside the area, only for Soria to make the save. The Brazil winger went even closer soon after. A corner was headed to him on the edge of the box and he struck a half-volley that forced Soria into a sharp reaction, pushing the ball onto the post before collecting it.
The breakthrough came deep into first-half stoppage time. Troy Parrott drove a low pass across the area for Abde Ezzalzouli, who found the bottom-right corner. The goal was checked for a long time by VAR before it was finally awarded.
José Bordalás made changes at the interval, but Betis created the first opening of the second half. A cross from the left dropped for Isco, whose effort from 16 metres went wide.
Rodrigo Riquelme also threatened with 15 minutes remaining when he ran onto a pass in the area and aimed for the top-right corner. Soria was alert again and made the save.
Getafe’s task became harder late on when Mario Martín was shown a second yellow card. The visitors kept pushing for an equaliser but could not find a way past Valles.
Betis now have 15 points from six LaLiga matches, with five league wins this season. Pellegrini’s side have won six of their last seven games in all competitions. Getafe remain on five points and are still searching for their second league victory.
