Real Betis survived a chaotic second-half collapse to defeat Osasuna 5-2 at La Cartuja stadium in Seville, where Manuel Pellegrini’s side generated 2.77 expected goals and registered 20 total shots, according to match reports from Diario AS. The victory lifts Betis to 19 points in the LaLiga standings, preserving third place behind Barcelona and Atlético de Madrid after the international break.
Early Control And Penalties At La Cartuja
MARCA reported that the breakthrough arrived before the 10-minute mark when Rodrigo Riquelme was struck in the face by Unai Santos inside the penalty area following a flick-on from Cucho Hernández.
Isco stepped up to take the spot-kick, sending goalkeeper Aitor Fernández the wrong way to open the scoring. The goal marked Isco’s fifth career strike against Osasuna, cementing them as one of his preferred opponents. Betis doubled their lead in the 30th minute when Cucho Hernández threaded a pass across the pitch to Abde Ezzalzouli, who drove into the area and fired a precise shot past Fernández at the near post.
The Second-Half Collapse And VAR Interventions
Osasuna manager made tactical adjustments at halftime, withdrawing Santos in favor of Asier Osambela. Yet Betis extended their lead immediately after the interval through a bizarre sequence. Following an Isco free-kick and a scramble involving Cucho and Ante Budimir, the ball ricocheted off Diego Llorente and past Fernández for an own goal credited to Budimir, making it 3-0 in the 47th minute.
What looked like a comfortable afternoon quickly unraveled. Héctor Bellerín lost possession near his own penalty area under heavy pressure, allowing Budimir to score Osasuna’s first goal in the 50th minute. Although the assistant referee initially flagged the play for offside against Rubén García, the VAR review corrected the decision and allowed the goal to stand.
Isco Restores Order And Morante Debuts
With Osasuna pushing for an unlikely equalizer, Isco reasserted control in the 66th minute. Referee Carlos Muñiz Muñoz dismissed the complaints, and the goal stood, bringing Isco’s match total to a brace.
Pellegrini managed his squad in the final stages, introducing Antony and Dani Ceballos.
Match Statistics And Standings Impact
The advanced metrics underlined Betis’s overall dominance despite the frantic second half. Diario AS recorded that Pellegrini’s team completed 497 passes with a 90.7% accuracy rate, entered the opponent’s box 29 times compared to Osasuna’s 16, and accumulated an expected goals tally of 2.77 against Osasuna’s 1.51. Isco finished the fixture with an individual expected goals metric of 1.76.
The result leaves Osasuna mired in a difficult run of form, recording four defeats and one draw in their last five league fixtures, placing mounting pressure on their technical staff. Betis, meanwhile, maintain their momentum near the upper reaches of the table ahead of their upcoming European commitments.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Match
What was the final score of the match between Real Betis and Osasuna?
Real Betis defeated Osasuna 5-2 at La Cartuja stadium, with goals from Isco (two), Abde, an own goal by Ante Budimir, and a late strike from debutant José Antonio Morante.
Where does Real Betis stand in the LaLiga table following this win?
With 19 points collected from their opening fixtures, Betis occupies third place in the standings, trailing only Barcelona and Atlético de Madrid.
Which players scored for Osasuna during their attempted comeback?
Ante Budimir scored twice in the second half—including a redirected effort and a VAR-reviewed strike—before Raúl García de Haro added a third goal to narrow the scoreline to 3-2 before Betis pulled away again.
