Betis closed its Europa League campaign this Thursday after a Round of 16 exit at the hands of Manchester United, who had forced a 4-1 first-leg draw at Old Trafford. The English side went ahead again in the second half through a strike from Marcus Rashford, sealing the result and leaving Betis to reflect on what could have been.
The Spanish club, despite a solid opening, failed to convert their chances and were briefly competitive in the first half before United struck early after the restart. Betis pressed with energy but were unable to translate pressure into sustained threat, and United controlled phases of the game from the outset.
This match marked United’s second visit to the Benito Villamarín this season, and unlike the friendly clash in December that paused for the World Cup break, this cup tie carried real implications for progression to the quarterfinals. Erik ten Hag guided a squad missing fourteen World Cup participants, a factor that shaped the starting lineup and rotation choices. Betis, meanwhile, had to contend with lineup adjustments as they navigated injuries and tactical experimentation, with their own key players sidestepping the starting XI on occasion.
Commentary around the night highlighted the challenge of setting up a plan against a United side that was fielding discussions about continuity and form, while Betis aimed to capitalise on any moment of hesitancy. The home team’s plans were disrupted by an injury to Brazilian left-back Abner Vinicius, which forced an early substitution and added to the tactical complexity for Manuel Pellegrini. The Chilean coach opted for a rotation policy that kept others fresh, a move that reflected the unpredictable nature of knockout football and the need to balance intensity with recovery in a tightly scheduled sequence of fixtures.
From the opening, Betis showed intent. Juanmi Jiménez, returning after a lengthy layoff caused by another serious knee problem, and veteran Joaquín Sánchez looked to seize opportunities against a United defence eager to pin back the hosts. The early exchanges suggested an even contest, with Betis threatening on the counter and United defending stoutly, repelling several forays into the final third. Yet the decisive moment arrived as United’s attack took advantage of gaps opened by Betis’ pressing, and a goal from Pellistri in the first half ahead of the break gave the visitors a psychological boost as the clock ticked toward the interval.
Betis attempted to respond after the break, intensifying their efforts to close the aggregate gap. Although they created moments and showed a willingness to attack with urgency, the finishing touch eluded them. The Spanish side maintained pressure on United, who in turn exploited space on the counter and used the width provided by their wingers to stretch the Betis defence. As the second half unfolded, Rashford found more space and produced a striking performance, including a precise long-range finish that underscored United’s effectiveness in breaking through the home team’s lines. This goal cemented United’s lead and left Betis with a tall task as the clock ran down and the tie moved toward its conclusion.
Betis did not retreat. They continued to push for a revival and to salvage some pride by scoring, but their efforts collided with United’s improved organisation and efficiency in front of goal. Throughout the evening, the ball moved with pace and purpose, with Betis executing attempts that showed ambition even in difficult moments. The visitors’ ability to manage the tempo of the match and to capitalize on critical moments contrasted with Betis’ struggle to convert chances into a decisive goal. As the clock wound toward the final whistle, the imbalance between the two sides became clear, with United’s experience in European knockout football giving them the edge as interventions and substitutions cooled the tempo but preserved the result.
The night concluded with United’s win sealing their progression in the competition, while Betis left the field knowing they had pushed hard, created moments, and faced a disciplined opponent who had the upper hand when it mattered most. This result closed Betis’ European campaign, looping back to a season of mixed results where the team showed resilience and moments of bright football even as the knockout stage ran out of time.