Real Betis left the victory escape today. The team came back after losing 0-1 at half time, although the visiting team levelled the score in the last third of the second half. This draw means a step back in the fantastic momentum of the team, and also ends the outstanding winning streak of the last weeks. On the upside, Rubén Castro continues showing what an amazing striker he is, as he scored the two goals of the team.

On a hot afternoon, Betis wanted to keep the three points at home. Although, the Green-and-White side faced today the revelation team of the season. And they showed why they have been labelled this way. The visiting team tried to do what they have been doing for months: be strong and well settled at the back, and counterattack efficiently. The first 15 minutes went this way, and Llagostera had more chances and were creating trouble to Betis defenders. The crowd gathered at Benito Villamarín Stadium had to wait till the 20th minute to see Betis create its first clear chance. After that, the home team found its place on the pitch and started to put up some pressure, control the ball more and create clear opportunities.

In one of them, Portillo sent a great ball to Rubén Castro, who couldn’t connect properly with the ball. Just two minutes after, defender Alcalá blocked a shot from Rubén with his elbow inside the box, but the referee whistled for corner kick. Even though, Betis went on attacking the following minutes. But when the team was pushing more, Juanjo received a cross from a free kick and put the ball far from the reach of Adán. A hard blow for Real Betis.

But the half time talk by pepe Mel seemed to create a change on his men. In the first minute of the second half,after a good play with the participation of Casado, Molina and Kadir, Rubén Castro sent the ball to the back of the net after a good low cross from Molinero. A great way to start the second 45 minutes.

After levelling the score, the Green-and-White players continued to forward and tried to score the second one. Good combination of passes, and a good pressure when they didn’t have the ball. In two of these chances, Molina were really close to the goal, but couldn’t finish properly. In these minutes, Betis was controlling the match completely.  In this way, in the 69th minute, Rubén Castro took advantage of a defender’s mistake, dribbled the same defender in the box, and made the second for Betis after hitting one post. A great goal from a great striker, who has scored 25 goals and given out 12 assists so far this season.

After the goal, Betis went on for more, and continued to create chances. But when the third seemed closer than the draw for Llagostera, Tito shot a fantastic curvy volley tan went into the goal defended by Adán. One of the best goals of the weekend, hands down.

After this, Betis wanted to come turn the score upside down again, but they weren’t able to create clear chances to make it. At the final whistle, a point to add, although it may taste quite bitter when the victory was so close.

Real Betis: Adán, Molinero, Bruno, Jordi Figueras, Casado, Xavi Torres, Dani Ceballos, Kadir (Vadillo 61), Portillo (N’Diaye 74), Jorge Molina (Rennella 80), Rubén Castro.
Booked: Portillo 23, Molina 74, Vadillo 79, Adán 82, N’Diaye 92.
Goals: Rubén Castro 46, 69.

Llagostera: René, Samu, Alcalá, Vallho, Tito, Querol, Imaz, Pitu, Ríos, Arturo, Juanjo.
Booked: Alcalá 24, Pitu 84.
Goals: Juanjo 37, Tito76.

Referee: Areces Blanco.