MATCH REPORT | Defeat at San Mamés (3-2)
Real Betis couldn't finish their great 2021 with a win. The team got defeated at San Mamés against Athletic Club. In a game with several different phases, Juanmi levelled the score up soon after Athletic's early goal. After half time, Fekir gave the Green and Whites the lead. However, the home side came back and got the three points in the end.
Crazy start of the game, as Athletic took only two minutes to score. The play was reviewed by the VAR for a possible offside, but the goal by Iñaki Williams finally stood. However, only three minutes later, Juanmi continued with his fantastic moment. Canales gave a great pass to Álex Moreno, who headed the ball towards the far post, where Juanmi smashed the ball in.
After the goal, Athletic pushed forward but met a Betis well settled on the pitch. Step by step, the Green and Whites imposed their style and controlled the ball. The team kept creating chance throughout the rest of the first half, but none of them clear enough.
The second half started perfectly for the team, though. Fekir and Willian José gave two early warnings, a preamble of the goal. Fekir received the ball from Carvalho inside the box and put it past the keeper.
Betis continued trying in search of a third goal, but the home side took a step forward and started to push. But all their tries were cleared by the Green and White defence. Until Williams, again, in an isolated play, create da great shot that went in by the top corner. Betis again tried to score the third, but when it seemed that both sides were going to share the points, a shot by De Marcos took a deflection and went in.
Athletic Club: Agirrezabala, Lekue (De Marcos 55'), Yeray, Núñez, Balenziaga, Vesga (Zarraga 55'), Vencedor, Nico Williams (Morcillo 82'), Muniain (Berenguer 68'), Raúl García (Sancet 68'), Iñaki Williams.
Goals: I. Williams (2', 72'), De Marcos (89').
Booked: Zarraga.
Real Betis: Rui Silva, Bellerín, Bartra, Víctor Ruiz, Álex Moreno (Miranda 83'), Guido Rodríguez (Edgar 66'), William Carvalho (Joaquín 83'), Canales, Fekir, Juanmi (Rodri 77'), Willian José (Borja Iglesias 83').
Goals: Juanmi (6'), Fekir (52').
Booked: Fekir, Rodríguez.
Referee: Jesús Gil Manzano.