MATCH REPORT | Epic night in Heliópolis (3-1)
Real Betis comes back to beat Real Sociedad
An epic night at Benito Villamarín. Real Betis beat Real Sociedad in the Last 16 of Copa del Rey in a game in which the Green and Whites came back in the score. Oyarzabal struck first and Canales tied the score. In the extra time, two goals from Borja Iglesias gave Betis the ticket to the quarterfinals.
In the first half, the away side took advantage of a mistake made by Betis' defense to score before the first 15 minutes. The Green and Whites started to react and, even if they did not score before half time, the team started to control the game and all the chances.
After the break, the away side got a man sent-off when Illarramendi saw his second yellow card for a tackle on Sidnei. However, Betis was unable to take advantage of this situation. In fact, some minutes later, the forces levelled up when Sanabria also was sent-off. However, this did not tamper the will of the players and Canales did find the net ten minutes before the end. 1-1 and onto the extra time.
Then, Borja Iglesias became hero. The Panda roared under the thick fog with two strikes that gave the Green and Whites a ticket to the next round. First, Iglesias received a phenomenal pass from Rodri, made a great control and finished in the near post. In the second half of the extra time, Iglesias headed in a cress delivered by Joaquín to close the game.
Real Betis: Joel Robles, Montoya (Emerson 106'), Mandi, Sidnei (Víctor Ruiz 56'), Álex Moreno, Paul (Borja Iglesias 85'), Canales, Lainez (Joaquín 67'), Fekir (William Carvalho 85'), Tello (Rodri 67'), Sanabria.
Goals: Canales (78'), Borja Iglesias (96', 111').
Booked: Lainez, Víctor Ruiz.
Sent-off: Sanabria.
Real Sociedad: Remiro, Gorosabel (Januzaj 85'), Elustondo (Carlos Fernández 91'), Le Normand, Monreal, Illarramendi, Mikel Merino, Guridi (Zubeldia 54'), Portu (Barrenetxea 85'), Oyarzábal (Zubimendi 64'), Isak (Merquelanz 64').
Goals: Oyarzabal (13').
Booked: Merino, Le Normand.
Sent-off: Illarramendi.
Referee: Mateu Lahoz.