Real Betis Balompié obtained today a great and precious victory at RCD Espanyol stadium. The Green-and-Whites were fairly superior to its rival, and took the three points home thanks to the goals scored by Rubén Castro, Pezzella, and Vargas. Espanyol attacked during the second half trying to level up the score, but Betis was able to control the different stages of the game and could have even scored some more goals.

Since the starting whistle, the team tried to push forward. And the goal didn’t take much time to arrive. Vargas kicked a set play from the left wing towards the far post, where Pezzella connected a good past to the opposite side of the goal. There, Rubén Castro tapped the ball in to give advantage to the team.

A few moments after, Espanyol had the chance to tie the score up, but the effort from Gerard Moreno went high. The home team tried to react and started to attack, although without bringing enough danger to the box. However, it was Betis the team that stroke again. Musonda made an amazing individual play on the left wing and made a great cross to the heart of the box. Pezzella arrived from behind and made a great strike to increase the advantage in the score.

As it happened with the first goal, the men managed by Galca tried to go on attack, but the found Real Betis well settled in defence. The Green-and-Whites, on the other hand, tried to move the ball around calmly when the team had possession. And when the rival had the ball, Betis tried to steal it quickly and counterattack. However, none of the teams managed to create problems on the other end before half time.

RCD Espanyol came on from the dressing room looking to score, and was close to do it so in the first minute. Asensio made a good play and shot wide by a few inches. In spite of being under siege, Fabián had a great chance for Real Betis. The young midfielder dribbled two defenders and shot a low ball that was blocked by Pau López in a great save.

Seeing that his team was struggling eith the rival’s constant attack, Merino decided to replace Fabián by Xavi Torres in order to have more control in the midfield. On the other side, Galca made offensive changes.

In spite of this constant attack, the Green-and-White team hit again. Vargas shot a free-kick with strength that went in by the top right corner. A fantastic goal by the Peruvian left back who continues with his positive streak.

The final minutes went by with Espanyol becoming less confident in every play they tried. On the other hand, Betis counterattacked with a lot of danger. In the end, a hard-worked an precious victory against a direct rival.

RCD Espanyol: Pau López, Javi López (Burgui 62), Álvaro, Óscar Duarte, Víctor Álvarez (Roco 46), Hernán Pérez (Abraham 78), Diop, Víctor Sánchez, Asensio, Gerard Moreno y Caicedo.
Booked: Caicedo 41, Hernán Pérez 69, Duarte 80, Víctor Sánchez 82.

Real Betis Balompié: Adán, Molinero, Pezzella, Bruno, Vargas, N’Diaye, Ceballos (Portillo 84), Cejudo (Joaquín 78), Fabián (Xavi Torres 56), Musonda y Rubén Castro.
Goals: Rubén Castro 10, Pezzella 20, Vargas 71.
Booked: Bruno 18, Molinero 68.