Real Betis Balompié opened started today its path in La Liga with a draw against Villarreal CF. In a fantastic atmosphere at Benito Villamarín Stadium, the team showed its desire to perform well in its return to the top division of Spanish football. The players put in a lot of intensity and character and came back after the goal from Villarreal CF in the first half. In the final minutes, a goal from Rubén Castro to secure a point that should have been three points.

In the starting minutes, the crowd gathered in the stands of Benito Villamarín Stadium saw Betis eager to start off in good form. Intense, pressing up high near Villarreal box. The main initial chances came all from the right wing, with Piccini trying to cross the ball to the box after a few good runs. As the minutes went by, the team continued in this form, trying time after time.

After 25 minutes, Villarreal started stretching its lines and tried with long balls to open spaces, looking for the quick pace of its attacking line. In this way, Soldado received a long ball a shot, but Adán made a great save. But a couple of minutes later, Soldado controlled the ball completely off mark and shot past Adán. A goal that came in the second chance that Villarreal CF had in the whole match. In spite of this blow, Real Betis continued to push forward in the same way, using specially the right wing, and not letting Villarreal develop its game.

In the 37^th minute, after a cross from Vargas, Areola punched Molina in the head when trying to clear the ball. The referee didn’t whistle for penalty in spite of the protest of the Real Betis Balompié players.

At half time, Betis went to the dressing room with an underserved score. The team was creating danger, controlling the game, and had almost all the chances of the first half.

The second half started off and it was clear since the first minute that the plot of the match was not going to change. Betis pushing up and Villarreal trying to cool down the pace of the game. The men managed by Pepe Mel wanted to level the score as soon as possible. But they continuously found Villarreal defenders very well settled on the pitch. It was also clear that Villarreal didn’t want to let Betis play, so when they couldn’t defend the chances, the made fouls continuously.

The only chances the visiting team had were in counterattacks. With Betis pushing forward, it was easy to find open spaces behind the defenders. In this way came a really clear chance for the team in yellow. Bakambu run towards the goal, avoided the tackle from Adán and shot, but his strike was blocked by Vargas. The rebound fell to the feet of Bruno, but his effort hit the crossbar.

Despite its tries, Betis was not finding the right way to score. But everything changed in the last minutes. After a corner kick, Piccini shot a fantastic strike from long distance. Areola stopped the ball that fell to Xavi Torres, whose header was blocked again by the goalkeeper. But then Rubén Castro found the ball and levelled the score. A well-deserved goal for Real Betis coming from its everlasting striker.

In the stoppage time, Bruno (Villarreal) was sent off after a headbutt on Xavi Torres in the middle of a row between the two teams. In the end, Real Betis gets a point in its return to La Liga in a good display of character.

Real Betis Balompié: Adán, Piccini, Bruno, Pezzella, Vargas, Xavi Torres, N’Diaye (Fabián 76), Cejudo (Ceballos 65), Portillo, Jorge Molina (Rennella 80), Rubén Castro.
Booked: Samu Castillejo 48.
Sent off: Bruno 91.
Goals: Soldado 29.

Villarreal CF: Areola, Mario, Bailly, J. Costa, Víctor Ruiz, Pina, Bruno, Nahuel Leiva, Samu Castillejo (Trigueros 77), Baptistao (Bakambu 62), Soldado (Samu García 66).
Booked: Bruno 25, Cejudo 34, Pezzella 49.
Goals: Rubén Castro 86.

Referee: Vicandi Garrido.