Betis said goodbye to the Europa League. The draw matched him with one of the best teams on the continent, Manchester United, in the process of being sold, by the way, as was discussed in the Benito Villamarín box. The Verdiblancos could not get their hopes up with achieving the feat of coming back from 4-1 in the first leg at any time, although it is true that they competed very well for 56 minutes. Then, after missing two very clear chances, Rashford took a huge shot from the edge of the area that broke any Andalusian hope. The nearly 52,000 Betis (3,000 English) who attended the clash broke into applause for their team, which had given everything to try the miracle.
0
Rui Silva, Pezzella, Abner, Edgar González, Sabaly, William Carvalho, Joaquín (Canales, min. 58), Guido Rodríguez (Guardado, min. 66), Aitor Ruibal (Borja Iglesias, min. 58), Juanmi and Ayoze Pérez ( Willian José, min. 58)
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De Gea, Wan-Bissaka (Diogo Dalot, min. 74), Lisandro Martínez (Nilsson-Lindelöf, min. 75), Tyrell Malacia, Harry Maguire, Fred (M. Sabitzer, min. 60), Bruno Fernandes (Anthony Elanga, min. 68), Rashford (Jadon Sancho, min. 60), Casemiro, Pellistri and Wouter Weghorst
goals 0-1 min. 55: Rashford.
Referee Srdjan Jovanovic
Yellow cards Pellistri (min. 29)
A moving Betis, with a good game, but without punch, the one that a star like Rashford showed to put an end to the hint of local rebellion. United, a great team, go to the quarterfinals fairly and after overwhelming the béticos on aggregate in the tie (5-1).
It is not easy to play against an opponent like United with a 4-1 deficit. The control of emotions seems like a basic premise, as well as knowing how to attack without conceding against a powerful, fast and vertical opponent. A high-flying company that Betis faced with a powerful start. Intense and strong, with Joaquín as midfielder, the Andalusian team had a high-level quarter of an hour, which made United doubt. The counterattack became the decisive weapon of the Andalusians. Juanmi, after eight minutes, was left alone before De Gea and crossed it too much. Three minutes later, Joaquín took a shot that hit the post after beating Casemiro. Two golden occasions that did not end in a goal and that caused United to wake up. The English, with some substitutes, but supported by Casemiro and Fred, balanced the game. Bruno Fernandes’ game changes subdued Betis, somewhat calmer.
The Andalusians had a burst of quality after 32 minutes, when Juanmi, after a great uncheck, was about to beat De Gea. Ruibal’s pass was of great quality. The one that his team lacked to score, the great defect of a good Betis in the first half. In extra time, United, with hardly any danger before, sent a ball to the post through Pellistri.
De Gea saved a shot from Ayoze and as soon as Betis undressed in search of the goal, United’s options arrived. Rashford missed twice. On the third, he dynamited the bética hopes. The game then became little more than a training session. Betis, without a goal, still cannot compete with teams like United. It will have to grow a lot more.
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