MATCH REPORT | An insufficient point (3-3)
Real Betis Balompié got again just one point in a crazy game that shouldn't have been that way. The team was better than the rival but it wasn't enough because of their own mistakes. RCD Mallorca took their only chances. The Green and White goals came through Canales and Fekir, both penalties, and Joaquín.
From the start, Betis showed their intention to attack and had the first chance with a shot by Álex Moreno that went wide. The team had the ball entirely, but the pace of the game was quite slow. In fact, Mallorca took advantage of their first attacking play, a counterattack, and scored through Hernández.
Just one minute later, clear penalty for Betis when Fekir was brought down inside the area. Canales took the responsibility and sent the keeper the wrong way. The goal spurred the team forward and had two good consecutive chances. First, Carvalho sent wide a long-range effort, and Loren hit the post from a similar distance.
Actually, it was Mallorca who scored in their second approach. Budimir turned around inside the box and put the ball past Robles in a poorly defended play. However, Betis tied the game again a few minutes later, again from the spot. It was Fekir who did it, although Reina almost saved it. A minute later, Álex Moreno shot with strength, forcing Reina to make a good save.
The second half began in the best possible way, as Joaquín needed only two minutes to give the team the lead for the first time. Canales produced a sensational pass and the skipper dribbled a defender and put the ball in the back of the net. One minute later, the referee whistled for penalty in Betis area for an alleged foul by Loren on Baba. However, he changed his decision after checking the VAR screen.
Joaquín returned the pass to Canales a few moments later, but the midfielder couldn't score. Betis had the ball all the time at this point, looking for the fourth goal. Loren did score, but the goal was correctly disallowed for offside. Then, Fekir found the side netting with his effort. But Betis became once again their worst enemy and a mistake in defence was used by Kubo to close the score.
The goal was a hard blow for the team and went through their worst moments. The team reacted and looked for the three points in the final ten minutes but was unable to get there.
Real Betis Balompié: Joel Robles, Emerson, Mandi, Bartra, Álex Moreno, William (Aleñá 73'), Guardado (Raúl 86'), Canales, Joaquín (Tello 77'), Fekir, Loren. Goals: Canales, p. (19'), Fekir, p. (35'), Joaquín (47'). Booked: Bartra (68'), Aleñá (92').
RCD Mallorca: Reina, Pozo (Sedlar 82'), Raíllo, Valjent, Leonardo (Gámez 31'), Rodríguez, Salva Sevilla, Baba (Lago Junior 67'), Kubo, Hernández, Budimir. Goals: Hernández (16'), Budimir (27'), Kubo (70'). Booked: Gámez (57').
Referee: Jesús Gil Manzano.