Real Betis edges Mallorca in a tense LaLiga clash

this Real Betis Chile’s Manuel Pellegrini continues his winning dynamic in LaLiga. Although the squad is not yet complete with new transfers, Betis remains in advanced positions, collecting six points after beating Elche and then Mallorca, where Borja Iglesias sealed a 1-2 victory on penalties.

Aguirre, at 63, and Pellegrini, at 68, both bring gray hair and a wealth of world football experience. Their duel from the first whistle produced 15 yellow cards, 7 for the home side and 8 for the visitors, underscoring a heated contest.

Betis arrived on the island at a time when Mallorca faced casualties and signings yet to be finalized. Mallorca, meanwhile, showed a squad with two new faces Rajkovic and Copete, and its form remains open to interpretation as the season unfolds.

Penalty shaped the early rhythm of the match. Battaglia intercepted a ball intended for Juanmi with his forearm, and although the on-field referee initially did not call a foul, the VAR briefing led to a decision to award the spot kick.

⚽ This is Panda To Panda! #RCDMallorcaRealBetis #KickOffLaLigaSantander pic.twitter.com/m96yQbtFUw

– LaLiga (LaLiga) 20 August 2022

Mallorca started strongly, yet Betis, wearing a blue-striped kit today, adjusted and created pressure while navigating the absence of several first-team players. The visitors showed resilience against the home side who pushed hard but could not sustain a sustained spell of pressure.

Vedat Muriqi, the Kosovar forward, looked dangerous when involved. The five-man defensive line plus three central players often left gaps that tested the Betis defense, though Predrag Rajkovic, Mallorca’s goalkeeper, stood tall at key moments.

Pellegrino’s team stayed composed enough to weather the intensity from the crowd, which included some spectators watching the match from a distance of about seven meters due to a removed athletics track.

Betis not only absorbed the pressure, but also posed threats. A restart after the break nearly altered the course of the game as Muriqi struck but could not convert after a precise cross from Kang In Lee.

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MURIIIIIIQIIIIIIIII#RCDMallorcaRealBetis @lartistagroup pic.twitter.com/DQwba9AiRo

– Real Mallorca (RCD_Mallorca) 20 August 2022

The celebrations for the Kosovarian forward were brief as a controversial second penalty, awarded to Mallorca and converted by Fekir’s counterpart, forced the home side to rally again to equalize.

Borja Iglesias struck from the penalty spot again, briefly making him the league’s top scorer, before Mallorca pressed for a late equity. The chances were traded with near misses, including a Kang In Lee crossbar strike and a follow-up attempt by Jaume Costa that Rui Silva cleared.

The final stretch proved intense, but Betis managed to protect their advantage, despite Mallorca’s renewed push after two questionable penalties.

Data sheet

1 – Mallorca: Rajkovic; Maffeo, Copete, Railo, Valjent, Costa; Battaglia (Baba, min. 79), Grenier (Antonio Sánchez, min. 63), Dani Rodríguez (Abdón Prats, min. 79); Kang In Lee and Muriqi.
2 – Real Betis: Rui Silva; Aitor Ruibal, Edgar Pezella, Edgar, Álex Moreno; Guido Rodríguez, William Carvalho (Morón, min. 89); Rodri (González, min. 64), Fekir, Juanmi; Borja Iglesias n (Akouokou, min. 79)

Goals: 0-1, min. 8: Borja Iglesias, from penalty; 1-1 min. 46: Muriqi; 1-2 min. 71: Borja Iglesias.

Judges: Pablo González Fuertes (Asturian Committee). Grenier (min. 48), Dani Rodríguez (min. 65), Battaglia (min. 69), Raillo (min. 69), Maffeo (min. 83); Carvalho (min. 1), Juanmi (min. 36), Fekir (min. 65), Pezella (min. 70), Rober (min. 82), Rodríguez (min. 83), Rui Silva (min. 85) from Betis.

Events: The match, coinciding with LaLiga’s second matchday, took place at Visit Mallorca Estadi in front of 15,579 spectators, including 500 Betis fans. The Balearic club showcased new East Tribune stands, bringing fans closer to the pitch after the track’s removal. Steve Kerr, former Golden State Warriors player and current NBA champion, attended the Last Moix box by invitation of club president Andy Kohlberg. Source: LaLiga.