Unjust punishment (2-0) | OneFootball

Villarreal fall at La Cartuja in an open match marked by Comesaña’s sending‑off

Villarreal were defeated by Real Betis at La Cartuja (2-0). The Betis side took the lead on the scoreboard and, with the match wide open, García Verdura punished the Submarine harshly, leaving them with one player fewer after sending off Santi Comesaña for a tough challenge on Lo Celso, who minutes earlier had stepped on the Galician midfielder without consequence. With a man advantage, Fornals scored the second and sealed a tight match that ended up becoming an unfair punishment for the Yellows.

In recent seasons, the clash against Betis has become one of the most important fixtures of the year for both sides. A key match to define the European spots in LALIGA EA Sports, with the reward extending beyond the three points in play and the goal average. Leaving La Cartuja victorious meant a statement for the Submarine, unbeaten until now, and for Betis, the quickest route to closing in on the Champions League positions.

To approach the match, Marcelino made only two changes compared to the Submarine’s previous starting eleven against Deportivo Alavés (3-1). He brought in Gerard Moreno instead of Ayoze Pérez after his excellent and decisive second half against the Basque side, and also introduced Pau Navarro for Santiago Mouriño on the right side of the backline.

A balanced first half

Both teams came into the match with great energy. Betis looked to dominate possession and pin the Yellows back in their own half, while the Submarine wanted to run, combine quickly and threaten in behind. It was set up to be a spectacle.

The first warning signs from each side came from their forwards. Chimy Ávila threatened first with a long‑range effort that missed the target. Gerard then responded with a deflected shot from an Alfonso Pedraza cross during a Villarreal transition.

As the minutes passed, the Submarine stuck firmly to the game plan. Their priority was to break quickly, maintaining a compact and solid defensive block. Villarreal took risks building out from the back, trying to overcome Betis’s high press, which aimed to force turnovers in dangerous areas.

Before the half‑hour mark, Villarreal had the opener on the boot of Georges Mikautadze. The Yellow forward struck a clear chance straight at Álvaro Valles, preventing the opener. The move, initiated by a long pass from Veiga, was led by Alfonso Pedraza, who beat Ruibal near the byline, lifted his head and found the Georgian, whose finishing lacked precision.

In the final stretch of the first half, Betis stepped up their tempo to try and go into the break with an advantage. In that brief surge, the home side had the best chance of the opening period. In the 39th minute, Luiz Júnior produced a crucial save to deny Marc Roca. From the ground, the Brazilian goalkeeper showed quick reflexes to push away a powerful effort from the Catalan midfielder just as La Cartuja was ready to celebrate.

At half‑time, Marcelino made changes at full‑back. Mouriño and Cardona came on for Pau Navarro and Pedraza. Betis started the second half better and had the first chance with another long‑range effort from Marc Roca, again saved by Luiz Júnior. Villarreal took longer to create danger. Their first opportunity came through Buchanan, who shot wide from the edge of the box after receiving a good pass from Gerard in transition.

Betis take the lead through Ruibal

Before the hour mark, Real Betis went ahead. Aitor Ruibal scored the 1-0, capitalising on a loose ball deflected by Parejo to beat Luiz Júnior with a finish from close range.

The Betis side pulled in front and forced Villarreal to step up offensively in search of an equaliser. Nicolas Pépé came on for Gerard, and it was the Ivorian who, in the 67th minute, provided an excellent pass to Buchanan, leaving him at a slight angle against Valles, who reacted well to narrow the angle and save the Canadian’s effort.

A sending‑off that left the Submarine with no chance

In the 77th minute, the referee sent off Santi Comesaña for a tough challenge from behind on Lo Celso. The official punished the Submarine excessively, leaving them with ten players. Minutes earlier, a clear and deliberate stamp by Lo Celso on Santi Comesaña had gone unnoticed by the referee and, curiously, by VAR.

With a man advantage, Betis sealed the match through Pablo Fornals. The former Yellow scored the 2-0 with a powerful cross‑shot from the edge of the box.