A frustrating defeat against Real Betis (1-2) | OneFootball

The Yellows lost in a battle between two teams aiming to finish in the European spots

Villarreal lost against Betis (1-2). The Yellows were defeated in a direct duel for the European places, despite playing with numerical superiority for much of the game. The visitors took the lead through Vitor Roque in the first half and after the break Lo Celso extended the visitors’ lead. Álex Baena pulled one back, but the Yellows, misfiring in attack, could not find a way to equalise.

Until the first half hour of the game, there were no great chances to score. Gerard Moreno’s header from a cross from the left was saved by Vieites with a fantastic save. The action was subsequently disallowed for an alleged foul by the Catalan striker.

In the 32nd minute, Betis took the lead (0-1). Vitor Roque beat Eric Bailly to Ez Abde’s cross from the left flank. After the restart, with almost no time to digest the goal, Chimy Ávila was sent off for a foul on Álex Baena. The visitors were reduced to ten men and the Submarine stepped forward in search of an equaliser. They failed to find the equaliser, although they had two good chances to do so.

At the start of the second half, Betis scored their second. The Submarine conceded a free kick on the edge of the area and Lo Celso with a measured shot sent it into the back of the net. Despite being in numerical superiority, at 0-2, the game was becoming very difficult for the Submarine’s interests.

Villarreal did not give up and pulled one back in the 55th minute with a goal from Álex Baena. He brought the ball down in the box after Kiko’s cross from the right and made it 1-2 in the La Cerámica stadium.

The goal gave the Submarine wings and they went on the attack. Marcelino took advantage of the situation and brought on Barry to go all out for the equaliser.

Shortly before the hour mark, Sabaly pulled the ball back under the post after Yeremy Pino’s shot in the six-yard box, after a header from Thierno Barry.

The last few minutes were a Villarreal siege, but without much success. Betis closed in at the back and blocked the Submarine’s crosses, who accumulated men in the rival area without success.

In the 90th minute, Marc Bartra cleared a Thierno Barry header off the line at the far post. Later, the French striker had a goal disallowed for offside. Marcelino’s side were unable to find the net and ended up dropping all three points at the Estadio de la Cerámica.