Betis achieved what seemed impossible, winning at Mestalla in the League, something that no one had celebrated since September 27, 2023, seven months ago (win for Real Sociedad), and achieved, with two goals from Ayoze, a victory ( 1-2) which allows them to overtake Valencia and snatch, with six games left until the end of the League, the seventh place that opens the doors to Europe.
1
Mamardashvili, Vazquez Alcalde, Cenk Özkacar, Cristhian Ibarguen, Thierry Correia (Foulquier, min. 66), Francisco Martinez (Sergi Canos, min. 45), Diego López (Alberto Mari, min. 83), Javi Guerra, Pepelu, Hugo Duro and Andre Almeida (Hugo Guillamón, min. 66)
2

Rui Silva, Sabaly, Juan Miranda, Chadi Riad, Pezzella, Ayoze Pérez (Abner, min. 88), Guido Rodríguez, Fornals, Johnny (William Carvalho, min. 88), Isco Alarcón (Fekir, min. 58) and Bakambu ( Willian José, min.
Goals 0-1 min. 19: Ayoze Pérez. 1-1 min. 65: Pepelu. 1-2 min. 77: Ayoze Pérez.
Referee Mateo Busquets Ferrer
Yellow cards Sabaly (min. 12), Pepelu (min. 42), Juan Miranda (min. 63), Bakambu (min. 64) and Hugo Guillamón (min. 77)
The two teams, in a face-to-face match for that seventh place award in the Conference League, came out testing each other. Although, little by little, Isco emerged to end up taking over the game. It was his day and the midfielder, a player who started his career in Valencia, where he debuted with Unai Emery, began to roam around the midfield to harass Rubén Baraja’s team with his short passes that broke Valencia’s lines of containment.
Isco was decisive in the first half and in one of his actions, a beautiful pass with the outside of his right boot, he served the ball to Ayoze, who, with great control, turning to dribble past Mosquera, hit well placed to beat Mamardashvili.
The first 45 minutes of Isco, a 31-year-old player with the appearance of a veteran, were masterful. The man from Malaga gave a performance to take control, having fun, playing what he likes, control and passing, to put a Valencia team to sleep that was unable to react. Javi Guerra was lost, unable to connect with the forwards and very insecure in the pass. Valencia offered so little that their fans, generous and unconditional with this squad, applauded a well-executed pressure. There wasn’t much more to scratch. Baraja was looking forward to hearing Busquets Ferrer’s whistle to reorganize his team.
Isco continued to unsettle Valencia after the restart with his mobility and passes into spaces. The entry of Canós to give alternatives to the black and white attack did not work.
At game time, Pellegrini took Isco, the protagonist of the afternoon, off the field, perhaps to protect him before the derby with Sevilla. Valencia had many problems to avoid Betic dominance. He didn’t bite in the pressure and that led to chances like that of Fornals, who found a ball in the area that he sent to the post.
Everything could have changed when Miranda hit Hugo Duro in the face inside the area. Pepelu scored the penalty and left his team with 25 minutes left to round off the comeback. The goal and the stands raised the temperature of the match and the Baraja team was encouraged to see the prize so close. The changes gave him air. Valencia was growing, but in the final stretch, with the sun setting behind the Grada del Mar, Ayoze drove the ball around the edge of the area, shot and the ball, deflected by a Valencian defender, entered the goal for unbalance this transcendental encounter.
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