All even in Riazor Stadium (2-2)

Musonda and Vargas scored for Real Betis

Real Betis drew in the match played at RC Deportivo de La Coruña. The Green-and-Whites made a comeback in the first half after the goal scored by the home team. Musonda, who scored his first goal for the team, and Vargas put Betis ahead before half time. However, Fajr tied up the score early in the second half. Deportivo pushed hard until the end of the match, although both teams had chances to gain the three points.

Real Betis arrived to Riazor Stadium in a positive streak after the victory against Valencia CF the previous weekend. Juan Merino chose a line-up very similar to the one in that fixture, except for two changes. Kadir replaced Dani Ceballos and Westermann substituted Pezzella, who was banned for one game. 15 minutes had gone by when Deportivo scored the first goal of the match. A corner kick started by Lucas Pérez, and Bergantiños headed the ball in from the near post. The midfielder’s effort was impossible for Adán.

Real Betis reacted immediately, though, with a great combination play. The ball ended up in the left wing, and Vargas sent a fantastic cross to the heart of the box. Musonda, coming from behind, connected a good header to score his first goal as a Green-and-White player.

Afer the goal, the match became again quite similar to the initial minutes. Betis had more possession, but RC Deportivo was putting on a lot of pressure. The home team, on the other hand, was trying a more direct style of play. They had two good chances then. First, a counterattack that finished with an effort by Luis Alberto saved by Adán. Seconds afterwards, the keeper blocked a try made by Cani.

In this moments, Deportivo was having its best moents of the first period. However, it was Real Betis the team that scored. A free-kick just a yard outside the box. Rubén Castro touched the ball and Vargas kicked the ball hard. A low effort that founf nothing but the back of the net. After the goal, the home team pushed forward, but didn’t create much danger in the ooppsite box. At half time, Betis was the team in front.

Deportivo didn’t need much time in the second half to level up the score. Only five minutes have gone by when the team from Galicia made a long play. A cross from the left, and Lucas Pérez touched the ball and Fajr, off mark in the far post, pushed the ball in. After the tie, the team managed by Victor Sánchez continued attacking. On the other side, Betis was trying to counterattack in almost every chance.

In one of those plays, the away team had a great chance to score Rubén Castro started a quick run on the left and combined with Van Wolfswinkel. Ricky assisted Kadir, but the effort from the winger went high. A few moments later, another clear chance occurred, but in the opposite box. Deportivo made a long play that ended up with a shot that went past Adán, but Vargas was underneath the crossbar to clear the ball.

The pace of the game continued in a similar way, although Betis moved its lines forward and tried to shake the pressure off. Both teams had one last chance to win the game. First Betis, with a run by Rubén Castro, but number ‘24’ shot wide. And just before the final whistle, Riera headed the ball, but Adán made a great save to save one point for the team.

 

RC Deportivo de La Coruña: Lux, Juanfran, Sidnei, Arribas, F. Navarro (Luisinho 62), Mosquera, Bergantiños, Fajr, Cani (Cartabia 55), Luis Alberto (Oriol Riera 79), Lucas Pérez.
Goals: Bergantiños 15, Fajr 50.
Booked: Bergantiños 51.

Real Betis Balompié: Adán, Montoya, Bruno, Westermann, Vargas, N’Diaye, Petros, Musonda, Kadir (Cejudo 68), Van Wolfswinkel (Dani Ceballos 62) y Rubén Castro (Jorge Molina 89).
Goals: Musonda 19, Vargas 38.