Aiming to register consecutive victories in LL for the first time since February 2015, the visitors began assertively, as Rui Silva remained on his toes to keep the game scoreless. Hoping to extend the number one home record in the 2022/23 campaign, Betis were not without their own threat in front of goal throughout an enthralling end-to-end opening quarter-hour at the Estadio Benito Villamarín.
On the back of securing qualification for back-to-back UEFA Europa League knockout stages on Thursday after drawing 1-1 with AS Roma, Betis were ahead in the 23rd minute when the marauding midfielder William Carvalho arrived in the penalty area to coolly convert Álex Moreno’s cross into the back of the net. Not content after scoring his first goal of the current campaign, Carvalho came close to doubling his own and his side’s tally when the Portugal international’s fearsome strike stung the palms of Fernando Martínez as Betis remained in the ascendancy heading into HT.
Hoping to continue their superior record in recent H2H chronicles between the two sides, following seven victories in their last 11 encounters, Almería drew level in the 52nd minute when El Bilal Touré exquisitely directed the ball into the bottom right-hand corner past Silva. However, Manuel Pellegrini did not have to wait long for his side to regain the lead, as less than three minutes after stepping onto the field, Los Verdiblancos’ luminary Joaquín executed an exquisite defence-splitting pass for Borja Iglesias to slot beyond Martínez.
Betis then needed only six more minutes to make sure they had secured all three points, as Carvalho doubled his tally for the evening courtesy of Iglesias’ sublime build-up play, sending Betis into the UEFA Champions League qualification positions. With three points assured, Betis remained untroubled to extend their competitive home record across all competitions, including last season, to eight matches. In contrast, Almería concluded the current round of LL matches in the relegation zone.
Flashscore Man of the Match: William Carvalho (Real Betis)
