Valencia recovered in the second half after a sluggish start by both sides, turning the match in their favor with a bold display of attacking football. The first goal arrived when Willian José struck from a tight move, giving Betis something to chase as the locals pressed with more purpose. Although Betis dominated possession for periods, the clarity in front of goal was lacking and Valencia kept their discipline, soaking up pressure and hitting on counter moments to maintain the lead and then extend it late in the game, sealing a convincing European-chasing win as the whistle approached.
After an uneven opening forty-five minutes, Valencia emerged from the break more organized and purposeful. Willian José’s first-half contribution proved decisive, triggering a shift in Valencia’s tempo. The home team continued to press high, seeking fluid combinations in the final third, while Betis stayed compact and sought to exploit quick transitions. The match began to tilt as Valencia found more coherence in their buildup and attacked with greater intent, though chances remained scarce and every intervention mattered in the defensive phases.
The turning point came when Valencia converted their entering pressure into a breakthrough. Betis briefly capitalized on a well-timed move to threaten the scoreboard but Valencia answered with renewed vigor, tightening their lines and preventing Betis from wrenching an equalizer. The byproduct was a game that moved from a cautious stalemate to a more open contest as the minutes wore on. Valencia’s coach José Bordalás urged his side forward, and the attacking trio around Guedes and Maxi Gómez gave Betis a tougher test than expected, especially as the visitors wrestled with maintaining balance against quick counters.
Valencia continued to push, showing a sharper edge in the late stages of the second half. Their forwards ran with more purpose and the midfield managed to disrupt Betis’ rhythm, forcing errors and creating half-chances. Betis, for their part, stood firm defensively, but the continuous pressure from Valencia gradually drained their energy reserves and exposed gaps that could be exploited on the break. As the clock advanced, a second goal arrived, further stretching the game and pushing Betis into a position where they needed to chase a result rather than preserve a lead. The eventual third goal came late, taking advantage of a moment when Betis tried to push higher up the pitch, leaving room for Valencia to counter and close out the match with a flourish.
In the closing stages, Canales delivered a composed finish with a left-footed strike that rounded off Valencia’s victory, while Borja Iglesias offered a late reminder of Betis’ attacking threat, nearly turning the scoreline into a more dramatic finish. The result reflected a Valencia that found their feet after the interval and a Betis that, while competitive, was unable to sustain the level required to overturn the deficit. The game was decided at Mestalla on the 36th matchday of the Santander League, with Valencia earning a result that reshaped their European ambitions and Betis left to regroup as the season enters its final stretch.
Data sheet:
0 – Valencia: Mamardashvili, Thierry Correia (Maxi Gómez, m.63), Foulquier, Diakhaby, Alderete, Jesús Vázquez, Ilaix, Racic (Yellu, m.46), Carlos Soler (Msuah, m.88), Hugo Duro (Cheryshev, m.88) and Bryan Gil (Guedes, m.63)
3 – Betis: Rui Silva, Sabaly, Bartra, Pezzella (Edgar, m.80), Álex Moreno (Miranda, m.72), Guido Rodríguez, Willian Carvalho, Fekir (Joaquín, m.72), Canales, Rodri (Juanmi, m.63) and Willian José (Borja Iglesias, art.80)
Goals: 0-1, m.57: Willian José. 0-2, m.87: Canales. 0-3, m.89: Borja Iglesias.
Judge: From Cerro Grande (Madrid committee). He cautioned Alderete (m.32) and Canales (m.45) for Valencia and Bartra (m.83) for Betis.
Events: The 36th matchday of the Santander League was played at Mestalla.