Betis sealed a 1-0 victory over Mallorca with Sergi Altimira scoring the decisive goal in the first half. The green-and-white side earned their first win in five months at Benito Villamarín, keeping their European hopes alive under Chilean coach Manuel Pellegrini.
Meanwhile, Mallorca coach Javier Aguirre endured a tough result as his side looked to advance from a Copa del Rey semifinal stage by building on recent improvements.
Vermilions appeared sharper than their rivals and created an early chance when Abdón Prats headed against the crossbar.
This moment underscored a match where Mallorca pressed from the start, with Isco Alarcón pulling the strings in midfield and delivering moments of quality that tested the visitors’ defense.
Mallorca posed problems for the island defense, with a flurry of fouls that piled up before the 27th minute, reflecting a game of tight margins and physical battles.
Pellegrini initially trusted Assane Diao and Frenchman Nabil Fekir, who has returned from a serious knee injury in renewed form.
Betis fielded a Palma lineup that included several changes, reducing their numerical disadvantage to twelve players with an additional bench presence that featured thirteen professionals and seven from the reserves.
Betis found it hard to impose themselves against Mallorca, reverting to the direct, aerial approach that had brought success against Girona in the Copa del Rey, with Prats and Larin seeking to exploit aerial duels.
The match was interrupted three times due to clashes between Larin and Pezzella, including a head-to-head collision involving Johnny and Samu Costa. Costa left the field after 35 minutes and was replaced by Omar Mascarell.
With the scoreline still level, Sergi Altimira broke the deadlock by unleashing a precise right-footed strike from outside the area, catching Rajković off guard. It marked the first goal of Altimira’s professional career.
After halftime, Aguirre and Pellegrini shuffled their squads. Dani Rodríguez entered for Mallorca, and Muriqi appeared for Mallorca while Visus, William José, and Rodri joined Betis on the field.
Mallorca continued to search for an equalizer, with Prats again testing the Betis defense, but his header went wide around the 81st minute.
As the game wore on, Pellegrini’s side faced difficulties in maintaining possession under pressure from Mallorca’s relentless pressing—moments where Betis seemed to struggle to clear the ball from their own half.
Despite Mallorca’s late pushes, the lead held, and the hosts could not secure a point. The result left Mallorca frustrated as they watched their battle against relegation continue without relief.
Data sheet:
0 – Mallorca: Rajković; Gío González, Raillo, Valjent (Dani Rodríguez, min. 58), Nastasic, Lato (Jaume Costa, min. 80); Samu Costa (Mascarell, min. 35), Darder, Morlanes (Javi Llabrés, min. 80); Abdón Prats and Larin (Muriqi, min. 58).
1 – Betis: Rui Silva, Bellerín, Pezzella (Visus, min. 46), Sokratis, Abner, Johnny, Altimira, Luiz Henrique (min. 84), Fekir (William José, min. 66), Isco and Assane (Rodri, min. 46).
Goals: 0-1, min. 46: Altimira
Referee: Churches of Villanueva (Galician Committee). Toni cautioned Lato (min. 75); La Jaume Costa (at least 95)
Events: The match, part of LaLiga EA Sports matchweek 22, was played in front of 20,051 spectators at Son Moix. A minute’s silence was held for three Sevilla supporters who lost their lives while traveling to Madrid to watch a quarterfinal against Atlético.