Elche vs Betis: Controversial Refereeing and Late Penalties Analyzed

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Arbitration drama surrounded the Galician official Iglesias Villanueva, with Jaime Latre in VAR and the Galician crew overseeing the Elche versus Betis clash last Friday. The match proved a testing assignment for the referee, drawing protests from both sides as decisions piled up around the game’s key moments.

The Franjiverde supporters felt the criteria varied, especially on handball calls, as they watched a 2-0 scoreline shift alarms and momentum. The night ended with a 2-3 result after a late penalty sequence, leaving Betis fans elated and Elche supporters frustrated at the officiating.

1. Abner Vinicius penalty in the fourth minute after Tete Morente went down. The initial call arose quickly, but a VAR review confirmed Vinicius touched Morente near the area. Fidel Chaves converted the spot kick, giving Betis an early lead with a Panenka-style finish.

2. Helibelton Palacios versus Juanmi in the ninth minute, a sequence that sparked debate. Palacios won a contested ball and Lucas Boyé struck from distance, drawing protests from Betis that a foul should be awarded. The on-field decision stood, ruling it a simple ball battle between players.

It seemed a season-long pattern of contentious calls favored Elche, yet the arc of the match swung in the opposite direction as the game progressed.

3. Luiz Felipe touches the ball with his right hand in the 42nd minute. A potential penalty was waved off as an involuntary act. The decision stood, though some argued that a penalty here could have altered the first half’s trajectory and given Elche a stronger position before halftime.

4. Red card for Magallán in the 55th minute. A controversial sequence began with a handball decision during a Betis counterattack that led to a yellow card for Magallán. The VAR room prompted a reevaluation; Iglesias Villanueva overruled the initial call, replacing the yellow with a red and sending Magallán off. The field reaction was intense, with players, staff, and fans voicing strong opinions about the decision.

While the ball did not travel directly toward goal, the incident highlighted the ongoing debate about interpretation of handling and the consequences of VAR advice in high-stakes moments. The numerical disadvantage complicated Elche’s defense as Betis pressed forward and began to command the match.

5. Tete Morente converts a penalty for Ayoze in the 63rd minute. Morente, under pressure, was stopped during the run-up, yet Betis conceded a clear penalty for pushing in the area. Borja Iglesias struck to bring Betis closer, setting the stage for a tense finish as Elche clung to a narrow lead despite being a man short.

6. Offside appeal for Borja Iglesias in the 67th minute. Miranda delivered a cross that found Iglesias, who was adjudged offside by the officials as he interfered with play. Debate swirled over whether the ball touched Iglesias or his control simply affected the play’s direction, but the VAR background kept the on-field decision intact.

7. Roco earns a handball penalty in the 85th minute. A ball destined for Borja Iglesias was stopped by Roco’s hand, prompting a second Betis penalty call. Edgar Badía read the situation and guessed correctly to negate the spot kick, keeping the scoreline intact for Elche for the moment.

8. Miranda and Helibelton Palacios appear to misstep in stoppage time. A dramatic late sequence saw a fall by Miranda after a contact with Palacios, with the referee awarding a free for Betis and a yellow card to the Elche player. The late events seeded more tension and a critical third penalty that sealed Betis’ victory in the dying moments.

9. Enzo Roco’s third penalty in the 94th minute. The final call delivered another penalty to Elche, but the referee issued a second yellow to Roco, sending him off. The closing minutes were a chaotic mix of appeals and counter-appeals as the match concluded amid controversy.

Galician officiating under the lens as protests spill into the locker room

The night left a record of disputed calls and heated reactions from both benches, underscoring how a single match can become a focal point for discussions about officiating and VAR interpretation. Citations: match reports and post-match analyses from league outlets and video reviews summarize the events and the key moments that defined the game, attributing the controversial decisions to a mix of on-field judgments and VAR guidance.

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