Real Betis took advantage tonight in their round in Copa del Rey against Cádiz CF. The team controlled the game through ball possession, but the rival pushed at certain moments in which Betis struggled a bit. Two good goals by Sergio León, one in each half, certified the victory.

Copa del Rey is back for Real Betis and the first round for the Green-and-Whites was at Ramón de Carranza Stadium. A match-up between the two most charismatic teams in Spain. Quique Setién introduced several changes in the line-up, such as Dani Giménez on goal, Betis Deportivo player Redru, or the first appearance in the starting eleven for Ryad Boudebouz.

The game began with great news for Real Betis, as Sergio León needed just 6 minutes to score the opener. The striker from Córdoba got a loose ball in the edge of the box and delivered a sensational strike to the left top corner. The team tried to keep controlling the game after the goal, passing the ball around calmly.

However, after the initial 15 minutes, Cádiz stretched and started to attack. In this way came the equaliser. Moha took a run on the right wing and delivered a low cross badly defende by the Green-and-Whites. Álex Fernández showed up in the far post, but his first effort was stopped by Dani Giménez. The ball bounced back to Fernández who tapped it in. The team went through their worst minutes of the game, as they didn0t manage to get to other box for a few minutes. Cádiz was not attacking well either, but their press was making the rivals uncomfortable.

Real Betis pushed in the final minutes of the first half, but the score didn’t move. The same 22 players came on again after half time, and the game resumed in a similar way to how it started. Betis wanted the ball and went for the second goal from the very beginning.

And soon it came, and again Sergio León. Great run by Nahuel on the left until he reached the baseline, where he passed the ball back. León controlled, dribbled, and shot with strength to put the team ahead again. Real Betis looked more comfortable in this second half, having around three quarters of the possession. Fabián could have made the third after a great personal play by León, but his effort hit the post.

However, Cádiz had a quite clear chance that could have changed the game. Abdullah gave a great pass to Álvaro García. The winger set foot inside the box completely alone, but sent the ball way too high. Later, Camarasa, who had just come on, tried from outside the box, but found a good save by Yáñez.

Real Betis had control, but Cádiz brought danger in the few chances they got close to the box. Carrillo had it with a good header to which Dani Giménez responded with a fantastic intervention. In the final minutes, Campbell had the last one, but again the keeper avoided it.

Cádiz CF: Yáñez, Carpio, Servando, Villanueva, Bijker, Jose Mari (Garrido 57’), Álex Fernández, Abdullah, Moha, Romera (Carrillo 73’) y Barral (Álvaro García 57’).
Goals: Álex Fernández (21’).
Booked: Barral (45’), Moha (65’), Garrido (74’).

Real Betis Balompié: Dani Giménez, Rafa Navarro (Barragán 85’), Amat, Tosca, Redru, Javi García, Fabián, Narváez (Camarasa 74’), Boudebouz (Joel Campbell 67’), Nahuel y Sergio León.
Goals: Sergio León (6’, 54’).
Booked: Boudebouz (49’).