Celta Vigo were applying early pressure and as a result took an early lead, as Gabriel Veiga won the ball back before skipping past a man and rifling a low shot across the keeper and into the bottom corner from the edge of the box. Real Betis had an opportunity to equalise through Borja Iglesias, but the Spaniard hit a tame shot that was a comfortable save for Agustin Marchesín in the centre of his goal.
Real Betis’ afternoon got worse, when Luiz Felipe was shown a red card for bringing down Jørgen Strand Larsen as he bore down on goal. The resulting free kick was taken by Óscar Rodriguez and he forced a low save from Rui Silva as his effort was heading for the bottom corner.
Real Betis tried to equalise just after the break, as Nabil Fekir worked brilliantly to force his way into the area before pulling the trigger but he couldn’t beat Marchesín due to a heroic block from one of the Celta Vigo defenders. Los Verdiblancos went close again, as Martín Montoya got down the right wing before crossing and Álex Moreno struck towards goal but Marchesín made the save. Betis had yet another chance to equalise but they just couldn’t break the deadlock, as Germán Pezzella’s header was saved comfortably by Marchesín.
Celta Vigo held on to secure all three points and a victory that takes them into the top half and up to 10th, meanwhile Real Betis fall to 4th and failed to reclaim 3rd following Athletic Club’s 4-0 victory over Almería on friday.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Agustin Marchesín (Celta Vigo)
