MATCH REPORT | Onto the quarter-finals! (2-2; 2-2 on aggregate)

Canales and Loren scored the goals

Real Betis Balompié got tonight a spot in the quarter-finals of the Copa Del Rey. In a quite even game, the Green and Whites drew 2-2 with Real Sociedad, but got through thanks to the away goals. Canales got the team the lead, but the home team levelled the score two minutes later. In the second half, the Basque side scored first but Loren ended his goalless streak to close the score.

The match started under rainy conditions. Both teams fighting for the ball and displaying a high pressing, but the ground was quite slippery and that provoked several ball losses in the first minutes. The first clear chance was for the locals in the 15th minute, when Merino headed from inside the small area but missed the target.

Canales, in his first time back to his former team's ground, replied a minute later, but the shot from outside the box went wide. Halfway through the first half, it seemed that Real Sociedad had more possession and attacked more, while Betis were trying to find the way to attack with danger.

Past the first half an hour, Tello had the best so far for the Green and Whites after a good play. The winger dribbled inside the are and shot but Moyá blocked his effort. Januzaj did something quite similar in the other end immediately after, with same result. It didn't take long after those two plays for Real Betis to open the score. Lo Celso got the ball inside the box and passed it to Loren who held the position and assisted Canales. The midfielder didn't miss it and put in the bottom corner.

However, the joy did not last much. Three minutes later, a play poorly defended by Betis allowed Zubeldia to connect a volley and put the ball past Robles. The Green and Whites tried to react and Lo Celso got close to give the team the lead again, but his shot went wide.

The game resumed after half time without changes in any of the teams. After four minutes of play, Zubeldia was close to score his second of the match with a long-range effort than went out by the post. However, it looked like Betis had the ball more now and were trying to attack.

The next occasion was again for the locals through Theo, but Robles came out his goal to block the shot. In spite of Betis having the ball more, they were lacking depth in attack, while their rivals did exactly the opposite. In this way, they took the lead. A cross delivered to the far post where Merino showed up off mark to head the ball in.

Real Betis wanted to react and started to attack again. Not even seven minutes had gone by when Barragán delivered a low cross that Loren out in the back of the net. The game went into the final ten minutes with the home team trying to get a goal, as the current score would see Betis through because of the away goals.

Real Sociedad had now Betis under siege, with all the players focused on defence. In the 90th minute, Lo Celso was sent off for a second yellow card. He was on his way to be subbed, but the referee decided he was wasting time ands showed him a second yellow card. However, the team resisted and got a ticket to the quarter finals.

 

Real Sociedad de Fútbol: Moyá, Zaldua, Le Normand (Juanmi 86'), Moreno, Theo Hernández, Zubeldia, Illarramendi, Merino, Januzaj (Sandro 71'), Oyarzabal, Willian José.
Goals: Zubeldia (39'), Merino (62').
Booked:
Le Normand (25'), Januzaj (28'), Moreno (73'), Illarramendi (82').

Real Betis Balompié: Joel Robles, Barragán, Mandi, Javi García, Bartra, Tello, Carvalho, Canales, Lo Celso, Joaquín (Feddal 78'), Loren (Sergio León 93').
Goals: Canales (36'), Loren (69').
Booked:
Lo Celso (43', 90'), Loren (77'), Barragán (89'),
Sent off: Lo Celso (90').

Referee: Eduardo Prieto Iglesias.