Match report: Betis 2-1 Girona
Striker Borja Iglesias was called up to the Spanish squad this week and expressed his gratitude after helping Real Betis secure a 2-1 victory at home against Girona. The visitors started strongly, taking the early lead, while Betis, boosted by a focused home crowd at Benito Villamarín, tried to respond with sustained pressure but found it hard to convert their chances in the first half.
The Galician forward, who already has six La Liga goals this season, converted a first penalty to level the score. Girona answered seven minutes later through Arnau Martínez, and the second half saw Betis push forward with intent, creating several good opportunities before Borja Iglesias sealed the win in the 71st minute. Manu Vallejo’s later effort was ruled offside, denying a potential late equalizer for the visitors.
Sevilla, familiar with a strong start to the campaign, arrived in good form and hoped to maintain that momentum after the international break as well as the confidence gained from recent victories at home, including a Europa League win against Ludogorets. Girona, newly promoted back to the top flight, arrived undaunted, aiming to claim a rare win away from home and frustrate the Verdiblancos with their bold style.
Manuel Pellegrini’s Betis side pressed high and came close to breaking the deadlock early, with the ball frequently testing the Girona goalkeeper. Yet Madrid’s Míchel Sánchez saw his team strike first before Betis struck back. Arnau Martínez produced a sharp save on a low drive, but the breakthrough came when a foul on Rodri Sánchez inside the box led to a Betis penalty and a successful finish by Iglesias, who is continuing to add to his tally this season.
From there, Betis grew emboldened, and the home supporters roared as the tide began to turn. A long-range move culminated in a second goal for Iglesias, who hit a precise strike to put Betis ahead. The goal highlighted Iglesias’s importance to the team and his continued ability to find a way through packed defenses.
Girona did not back down. Reinier Jesus produced a towering header that tested Rui Silva, and the visitors continued to press for an equalizer. The Argentine forward Taty Castellanos linked well with teammates and tested the Betis defense, but the hosts held firm as the visitors searched for a response to the changing rhythm of the game.
The match saw several key moments as both teams searched for an edge. Rodrigo Riquelme found space and sent a shot narrowly wide, and Miguel Gutiérrez also threatened from distance before Pellegrini adjusted his lineup by bringing on Aitor Ruibal and Willian José. These changes added new energy and kept Girona under pressure, with Borja Iglesias continuing to threaten on the counterattack.
Betis’s captain on the night, Iglesias, continued to shine with a patient, decisive run that opened space for a clinical finish past the Girona goalkeeper. The 2-1 scoreline reflected Betis’s persistence and ability to convert their chances at crucial moments, a testament to the team’s tactical discipline and individual quality.
As the clock wound down, Girona pressed forward looking for an equalizer, and a moment of misfortune for Samu Sáiz allowed Betis to increase their advantage through an opportunistic break. The visitors pushed forward in the closing stages, but Betis held firm, with the defense repelling late threats and preserving the win for their league campaign ambitions.
Data sheet:
2 – Betis: Rui Silva; Montoya, Pezzella, Luiz Felipe, Álex Moreno; William Carvalho, Guido Rodríguez; Luiz Henrique, Canales, Rodri; Borja Iglesias.
1 – Girona: Juan Carlos; Arnau Martínez, Santi Bueno, Bernardo, Juanpe, Gutiérrez; Romeu, Aleix García; Reinier, Riquelme, Taty Castellanos (Manu Vallejo).
Goals: 0-1, 7th minute: Arnau Martínez. 1-1, 15th minute: Borja Iglesias from the penalty spot. 2-1, 71st minute: Borja Iglesias.
Referee: Miguel Ángel Ortiz Arias. Girona coach Míchel Sánchez was sent off in the 21st minute for protests. Warnings: Bernardo, Miguel Gutiérrez, and Romeu were cautioned later in the match.
Attendance: 52,229 at Benito Villamarín. Betis wore a support jersey for forward Juanmi Jiménez, who underwent ankle surgery this week and will be sidelined for several months.