Real Betis secured a 3–2 victory against FC Porto at the Estadio La Cartuja in Sevilla during the second matchday of the UEFA Champions League. Colombian Cucho Hernández scored his first Champions League goal to spark a second-half comeback for Manuel Pellegrini’s side.
How Cucho Hernández Ignited the Betis Comeback
Porto had overturned an early deficit to lead 2–1 in the second half before the match turned on a 74th-minute surge. Antony drove down the right flank and sent a cutback into the penalty area, where Cucho Hernández arrived to finish with composure and draw Betis level at 2–2. The strike marked the forward’s first goal in the UEFA Champions League and restored momentum to the Andalusian side after a turbulent twenty minutes.
The scoring sequence in Sevilla unfolded rapidly after a scoreless first half that included an overturned goal due to a prior handball detected by VAR. Ez Abde opened the scoring for Betis in the 47th minute with a curling right-footed shot into the far corner. Porto responded when Gabri Veiga converted a direct free kick in the 54th minute. Samu Omorodion then put the Portuguese visitors ahead 2–1 in the 61st minute following a backheel assist from Pepé.
Late Drama and Isco’s Decisive Penalty
Following Cucho Hernández’s equalizer, Betis pressed for a winner in the closing stages. Ángel Ortiz forced a penalty after drawing a foul inside the box, a decision confirmed via VAR. Isco Alarcón stepped up to the spot in the 84th minute and converted with precision to seal the 3–2 final scoreline.
Nelson Deossa started in Pellegrini’s XI, providing dynamism and power in the first half with long-range shooting threats. Meanwhile, Porto introduced Santiago Giménez in the 87th minute in search of a late equalizer, but the striker was shown a yellow card and failed to find the net as time expired.
Standings Implications in the Champions League Group Stage
With the win, Real Betis collected six points from their opening two fixtures in the Champions League group phase, having previously defeated Lille 3–2 away from home in matchday one. The result places Betis in ninth position in the standings. FC Porto remains without a point after two matches, following a 2–0 defeat against Manchester City in their opening fixture, leaving the Portuguese club positioned 30th in the table.
