Real Betis break ill-disciplined Elche hearts in five-goal thriller
Sitting rock bottom of LaLiga and with one win all season, the time was now or never for Elche to try and mount an unlikely comeback attempt to salvage their top-flight status - an act which would make them the first LaLiga team ever to survive after starting the 23rd round on single figures.
The Green and Striped Ones started with real intensity and were quickly rewarded for their bravery early on, when Tete Morente was tipped by Abner Vinicius in the area for a penalty.
Fidel took the resulting spot-kick and lashed into the net after sending Claudio Bravo the wrong way.
With the Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero still roaring from the opener, LaLiga’s lowest home scorers struck a shock second as Lucas Boye controlled a loose ball in midfield, raced forward and thumped a low strike into the bottom-left corner from 20 yards.
Clearly unnerved by Elche’s ferocity, Real Betis remained cautious and only started to venture forward late in the half, as Ayoze Pérez sprung the offside trap and fired a first-time shot that Edgar Badia palmed to safety.
Betis used the break to regroup after a whirlwind opening 45 minutes, and the Verdiblancos came close to reducing the deficit when Perez’s curling effort was tipped behind by Badia.
Elche appeared in control of their own destiny until a rash moment from Lisandro Magallan, where he handled the ball to prevent a goalscoring opportunity.
A straight red was the only outcome, and saw the Green and Striped Ones reduced to 10 men for the final 30 minutes.
A lack of composure soon took hold of Elche once more, and Morente clattered into Perez for a Betis penalty that Borja Iglesias stroked into the bottom-right corner past Badia.
Betis continued to take advantage of the additional man, and they restored parity just three minutes later, after Juan Miranda’s cross evaded everyone and nestled into the bottom corner.
Elche continued to face heavy pressure as expected, and Enzo Roco handled in the area to gift Betis another penalty, but Iglesias’ powerful spot-kick was denied by a flying Badía save, giving him his first penalty miss in five years.
In a frantic ending, Roco conceded another penalty for handball and was dismissed for his protests before Willian Jose made no mistake from the spot, firing high into the top corner to complete Betis’ comeback.
It was another sad night for the Green and Striped ones, who capitulated under the first signs of pressure, while Manuel Pellegrini’s battling Betis side moved within one point of the LaLiga top-four as their winning run progressed to three matches.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Ayoze Perez (Real Betis)
