Defeat against Real Betis (1-2) | OneFootball

Villarreal fall to the Andalusian side at the Estadio de la Cerámica

Villarreal suffered a 1-2 defeat against Real Betis at the Estadio de la Cerámica. Iñigo Pérez’s side took the lead after an excellent opening half-hour, but the Andalusian outfit turned the game around before half-time. Gerard scored for the Yellows, while Cucho Hernández and Natan found the net for Betis.

The Yellow Submarine returned to La Cerámica nine days after their defeat to RC Deportivo (2-3), in what was only their second home match of the season. This time they welcomed Real Betis in a fixture that promised entertainment between two possession-based sides competing in this season’s Champions League.

The match lived up to expectations from the outset, with both teams creating chances. Betis threatened first through Héctor Bellerín, whose effort forced an excellent low save from Gulácsi.

Just two minutes later, Villarreal responded with a remarkable double opportunity to open the scoring. In the 11th minute, Gerard slipped a superb pass into the area for Comesaña, who struck first time, only to see his shot come back off Valles and then the post. Mikautadze reacted quickest to the rebound, but his volley was also denied by the Betis goalkeeper.

Tajon Buchanan thought he had given Villarreal the lead in the 20th minute with a trademark finish, but the goal was ruled out for an almost imperceptible offside decision following a VAR review.

Moments earlier, Gerard Moreno had also seen a goal disallowed for offside, although that decision was far more straightforward.

Those setbacks did not discourage the Yellow Submarine, who continued to push forward with determination. Their reward finally arrived before the half-hour mark. Gerard made it 1-0 by sliding in to convert a headed knockdown from Renato Veiga following a set-piece situation.

The goal sparked a response from Betis, who began to see more of the ball and push higher up the pitch. During this spell, Gulácsi produced another important save to deny Cucho Hernández.

In the 36th minute, Nicolas Pepe latched onto a through ball and, after beating Natan, tested Valles with a long-range effort. Three minutes later, however, Betis equalised. Abde drove into the area and fired a cross-shot that Gulácsi could only parry, allowing Cucho Hernández to tap home the rebound.

Once again, fortune did not favour Villarreal. Before the break, Betis completed the turnaround when Natan reacted quickest to another Gulácsi save and converted from close range to make it 1-2. It was a harsh blow for Iñigo Pérez’s side after a strong first-half display.

In the second half, Villarreal committed more players forward while Betis looked to exploit the spaces on the counterattack. In the 56th minute, Renato Veiga produced a vital block to deny Cucho Hernández from point-blank range.

Before the hour mark, Iñigo Pérez turned to his bench, introducing Moleiro and Saliba, followed shortly afterwards by Tani Oluwaseyi. In the 76th minute, Ayoze and Freeman entered the fray as Villarreal used all their substitutions.

The Yellow Submarine pushed numbers forward in search of an equaliser, but it was Betis who continued to look threatening on the break. Villarreal were unable to find the attacking rhythm they needed, while the visitors failed to extend their lead. In the end, Betis held on for a 1-2 victory at La Cerámica.