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BARCELONA — Real Betis overcame an early deficit and held off a determined Espanyol side for a 2-1 victory on Sunday afternoon at RCDE Stadium, delivering a display of resilience that punctuated their ambitions in the Spanish top flight.

The match, evenly poised in terms of possession and chances, pivoted on two moments of attacking clarity from Betis in the second half. Espanyol, roared on by a home crowd, dominated the opening exchanges and appeared set to dictate terms until Betis exploited their opportunities with ruthless efficiency.

Espanyol’s Bright Start Undone

Espanyol, under coach José Manuel González Álvarez, began assertively in their preferred 4-2-3-1 formation, pressing high and probing Real Betis’s defensive line. Their intent was rewarded in the 15th minute when midfielder Pol Lozano finished neatly from close range after a deft assist by Clemens Riedel. Lozano’s goal ignited the stadium, and Espanyol threatened to extend their lead during a sustained spell of pressure, notching 12 shots and winning nine corners over the course of the contest.

Yet, despite their attacking volume — eight of their shots missing the target — Espanyol could not convert possession into a decisive advantage. Real Betis goalkeeper Pau López made three vital saves, while Espanyol’s Marko Dmitrović was required just once, underscoring Betis’s clinical edge.

Betis Respond After the Interval

After a first half characterized by cautious buildup and scattered fouls (Espanyol committing 16 to Betis’s three), Betis manager Manuel Luis Pellegrini Ripamonti made subtle tactical adjustments that paid immediate dividends. Their equalizer arrived in the 54th minute: Ricardo Rodríguez surged down the left flank and delivered a low cross for Cucho Hernández, who slotted home with composure to silence the Espanyol faithful.

The momentum shifted further in Betis’s favor just nine minutes later. Pablo Fornals, influential throughout the midfield, fed a precise through-ball to Abdessamad Ezzalzouli, who fired past Dmitrović in the 63rd minute to complete Betis’s turnaround. With the lead in hand, Betis tightened their defensive shape, absorbing Espanyol’s attempts at a comeback.

Key Moments and Individual Performances

Espanyol’s pressing and direct play saw them create more shooting opportunities, but their lack of accuracy proved costly. Tyrhys Dolan and Roberto Fernández orchestrated attacks, while Leandro Cabrera marshaled the defense. Pol Lozano’s early goal highlighted his technical ability and vision, but Espanyol struggled to regain their rhythm post-intermission.

Betis, meanwhile, relied on the pace and industry of wing-back Héctor Bellerín and the composure of Marc Roca in midfield. Fornals, with his pivotal assist, and Ezzalzouli, whose finish proved decisive, stood out among Betis’s performers. The visiting side demonstrated poise under late pressure, managing substitutions strategically to preserve their advantage.

Discipline became a subplot in the closing stages, as tempers flared and six yellow cards were issued, including late cautions for Giovani Lo Celso and Valentín Gómez in the extended stoppage time.

Broader Implications

The win lifts Real Betis further up the La Liga table, reinforcing their credentials as contenders for European places. The result reflects Pellegrini’s capacity to adapt mid-game and extract improved performances from his squad, who managed 11 shots with three on target and matched Espanyol’s possession rate, completing 454 passes at 84 percent accuracy.

For Espanyol, the defeat at RCDE Stadium extends a period of frustration, as the team continues to seek consistency in front of goal. The home side’s effort was evident, but the inability to capitalize on their chances, particularly during a dominant first half, invites questions about their finishing and late-game management.

Match Statistics

• Possession: Espanyol 50%, Real Betis 50%
• Total Shots: Espanyol 12, Real Betis 11
• Shots on Target: Espanyol 4, Real Betis 3
• Corners: Espanyol 9, Real Betis 5
• Total Passes: Espanyol 433 (84%), Real Betis 454 (84%)
• Fouls: Espanyol 16, Real Betis 3
• Yellow Cards: 6 in total, four for Betis, two for Espanyol

The contest offered a microcosm of La Liga’s unpredictability, with Espanyol’s promise unraveling under the weight of Betis’s second-half response. For Betis, it was a victory earned not through overwhelming dominance, but through calculated risk and decisive execution on the road.