Real Betis Balompié took the three points today from RCDE Stadium in a match in which Espanyol took the lead after Betis missed a penalty. The team was better than rival but they scored first through Sergio García. Just before half time, Lo Celso tied the score after a marvellous play from Canales. In the final minutes, a superb free kick from Tello and an own goal from Duarte gave the Green and Whites the victory. On top of that, Joaquín made is 500^th appearance in LaLiga.

The locals began with a high and intense pressing, trying to suffocate Betis in their own area. They had an early chance, but Sergio García missed the target. Betis were trying to be faithful to their philosophy and get the ball to create plays.

However, the home team were committing many fouls in the first stage of the game, interrupting the continuous tries from Betis. In the 15^th minute, one of those fouls was made inside the box, when Rosales clearly got late to a challenge with Junior. Lo Celso took the responsibility but Diego López guessed his shot and saved it. The rebound was for Loren, who got also denied by the keeper.

It could be seen, nonetheless, that Betis had broken the pressing and were now in control. However, football is football and Espanyol broke the lock. A long goal to Baptistao who crossed it to the near post where García beat Mandi in the run and put the ball past Pau López.

More bad news came a few minutes before half time when Junior asked to be changed due to a hamstring injury. Tello took his place. Two minutes before the break, Canales got the ball in the halfway line and made a sensational run until he got inside the box. He then made a back pass to the heart of the area where Lo Celso smashed the ball in.

Just after the second half began, Espanyol had an unbeatable chance to take again the lead. Betis took too much of a risk in defence and the home team stole the ball. Baptisato got it inside the area, alone, but Pau made a good save. A couple of minutes later, Mandi made one of the defensive plays of the week, Iglesias was running alone towards the goal and the Algerian made a great swipe the get the ball away from him.

It seemed that the second half had began in a similar way to the first one. The home team had then their best minutes of the game but they were unable to control Betis. In fact, Lo Celso almost scored, but his effort after a long good play went slightly above the bar. Betis were back in control.

The next one was for Francis, whose effort got saved by Diego López. An open game at this moment in which controlled but did not impose.

The well-awaited goal almost came in a corner kick delivered by Canales. Sidnei headed it back in the heart of the box and Mandi did not reach the ball in the far post by a whisker. Finally, five minutes before the end, Betis got the lead. Tello produced an amazing free kick that went in by the top-left corner.

There was still time for a late joy in the added time. Lo Celso made a good run from the midfield and tried to assist Sanabria in the far post, as he was off mark. However, Duarte introduced the ball inside his own goal when trying to cut the pass.

RCD Espanyol: Diego López, Rosales, David López, Duarte, Pedrosa, Víctor Sánchez, Roca, Granero (Darder 68'), Sergio García, Baptistao (Piatti 78'), Borja Iglesias (Hernán Pérez 55').
Goals: Sergio García (24').
Booked: Iglesias (45'), David López (55'), Víctor Sánchez (83').

Real Betis Balompié: Pau López, Francis, Mandi, Bartra, Sidnei, Junior (Tello 40'), Carvalho, Lo Celso, Canales, Joaquín y Loren (Sanabria 71').
Goals: Lo Celso (43'), Tello (85'), Duarte, og. (91').
Booked: Joaquín (18'), Carvalho (22'), Mandi (53'), Sidnei (64').

Referee: José María Sánchez Martínez.