Vitória de Guimarães 0-4 Real Betis - Isco on fire as the Conquerors exit the Conference League in the round of 16 | OneFootball

Vitória de Guimarães’ UEFA Conference League campaign came to a close in the round of 16 after a 4-0 defeat against Real Betis at Estádio Dom Afonso Henriques.

The Spanish side took the lead in the 5th minute when defensive errors allowed Cédric Bakambu to surge into the box and beat Bruno Varela.

The 33-year-old doubled the advantage in the 20th minute when he headed Aitor Ruibal’s deflected cross into the net.

Vitória fashioned their first chance in the 40th minute and showed some promise after the break, but the tie was over in the 58th minute when Isco released Antony who found the bottom corner.

Antony repaid the favour with ten minutes remaining, presenting Isco with a golden opportunity that he accepted with ease.

It was a disappointing result for the Conquerors who earned a 2-2 draw in the first leg, but they were ultimately outclassed on and off the pitch and can have no complaints.

Bakambu at the double

Real Betis got off to a fast start in Guimarães and took the lead in the 5th minute. Mikel Villanueva came out of the defensive line and Toni Borevković mistimed an interception, Cédric Bakambu racing into the box and slotting the ball through Bruno Varela’s legs.

The Spanish side sustained their supremacy and doubled the lead in the 20th minute. Antony found space, collected a pass from Isco and rolled the ball through to Aitor Ruibal, his deflected cross sitting up perfectly for Bakambu who headed the ball into the net.

Brief interlude

Vitória created their first shot in the 40th minute when Fran Vieites slapped João Mendes’ effort away from goal, Nélson Oliveira firing the follow up well wide.

Luís Freire made two substitutions at half-time, overhauling his right edge with Miguel Maga and Telmo Arcanjo replacing Hevertton Santos and Úmaro Embaló.

The switches almost paid off with Guimarães enjoying their best spell of the game, Maga firing over the bar and seeing another effort deflected wide by Marc Bartra.

Normal service resumed

The positivity was short lived with the Spanish side making it 3-0 in the 58th minute. Isco released Antony who broke clear and took advantage of a statuesque Borevković, the Brazilian measuring a low drive into the bottom corner.

Arcanjo and Nuno Santos sent efforts over the bar but Guimarães were caught on the break in the 80th minute when the rout was completed. Isco released Antony once again, the winger speeding past Villanueva and returning the favour for Isco who made no mistake.

Disappointing end

Vitória de Guimarães cruised through the Conference League qualifiers and went unbeaten in six group matches, earning a 1-1 draw in their toughest game against Fiorentina.

They drew the short straw with Real Betis, one of the strongest teams left in the competition, but confidence was high in Portugal after the Conquerors earned a credible 2-2 draw in the first leg at Estadio Benito Villamarín.

That confidence was shattered after 20 minutes in Guimarães, and despite a brief spell of pressure after the break, there was only one team advancing to the quarter-finals.

Manuel Pellegrini has been around the block a few more times than Luís Freire and it showed, the 71-year-old learning from the match in Sevilla and making the necessary adjustments to shut down Guimarães’ avenues towards goal.

Isco was the class player on paper and so it proved on the pitch, the playmaker simply too smart and too good, mirroring his manager on the touchline. Mikel Villanueva and Toni Borevković may have had their worst performances of the season.

In the end it was a disappointing evening for the Guimarães faithful who filled Estádio Dom Afonso Henriques but were unable to see their side reach a second European quarter-final. Once the dust settles the result will be easier to digest, and pride will be the primary emotion that persists.