Real Betis Balompié beat Real Sporting de Gijon in the aggregate score (5-3) in last 32 in Copa del Rey. The team managed by Pepe Mel made the score of the first leg prevail (2-0) and stood strong against all the attacks by the local team. Real Sporting was close to turn around the score when the score was 3-1 but Real Betis closed the match in two counterattacks. Van Wolfswinkel scored his first two goals as Green-and-White player.

The match had good pace since the starting whistle. Just after kick-off, Real Betis went on attack and Van der Vaart shot hard but Alberto deflected the ball. After this starting chance, both teams tried to find their place on the pitch. It was the visiting the one in control, with longer possession and widening the pitch.

However, it was the team managed by Abelardo the one who hit first. In a corner kick, Bernardo headed a lobbed ball over Dani Giménez. Van Wolfswinkel tried to clear the ball under the crossbar, but the referee conceded the goal. In this way, Real Sporting de Gijon was again in the match, as one goal more would have meant a tie in the aggregate.

Real Betis reacted immediately, though. Just four minutes after, Van der Vaart received the ball bear the box and gave a great inner pass to his fellow countryman Van Wolfswinkel. The Dutch controlled put the ball under Alberto to level up the score. A good finish for Betis number ‘9’, which meant his first goal as Green-and-White player. In spite of this blow for their interests, Real Sporting went forward with everything. They were close to score for a couple of times, but Dani Giménez responded outstandingly to both of them, and the match went into half time.

The plot of the match changed completely in the initial minutes of the second half. In the 47^th minute, Halilovic, who had just come on, shot a screamer that went in by the far post. Subsequently, the match opened up its possibilities again. Real Betis was close to draw the score again just two minutes after that goal. Portillo launched a counterattack and gave a long pass to Van Wolfswinkel. The striker run faster than the defender but his shot hit the post.

After that play, Real Sporting de Gijon moved all its lines forward and went for more goals. And they got it. In the 71^st minute, the referee pointed out the penalty spot when N’Diaye touched the ball with his right arm. Halilovic took the ball and out it well behind Dani Giménez. That goal gave extra motivation to the home team, who was just one goal shorter of winning the round. They were putting up a huge pressure on the Green-and-White team, that was struggling to create plays.

Step by step, Real Betis started to loosen up and created some danger. The first warning came with a low cross from Varela and a shot from Portillo that Alberto blocked. Minutes after, in the longest play created by Real Betis, Varela gave a good cross to the far post. There, Van Wolfswinkel jumped more than his defender and his header found nithing but the back of the net.

After this goal, the spirits of Real Sporting lowered down, although they continued attacking. And yet in another counterattack launched by Portillo, he assisted Cejudo who finish with a classy shot. In this way, Real Betis will be in the draw for the next round of Copa del Rey.

Real Sporting de Gijón: Alberto, Luis, Guitián (Mascarell 67), Bernardo, Isma, Rachid, Cases (Halilovic 46), Pablo Pérez, Barrera (Castro 59), Menéndez, Guerrero.
Goals: Bernardo 14, Halilovic 47 and 71.
Booked: Pablo Pérez 26.

Real Betis Balompié: Dani Giménez, Molinero, Pezzella, Figueras, Varela, Xavi Torres (Ceballos 85), N’Diaye, Portillo, Vadillo (Cejudo 66), Van der Vaart (Fabián 59), Van Wolfswinkel.
Goals: Van Wolfswinkel 18 and 83, Cejudo 88.
Booked: Xavi Torres 20, Pezzella 46, Molinero 85.