The League
6:00 p.mMay 12, 2026
Regular season – 36
La Cartoixa Stadium in Seville
Referee: Isidre Diaz from Mera Escuders, Spain
Real Betis
Elx
Turn off the spoiler to see match stats
1.52
Expected Goals (xG)
0.51
-1.16
Prevented goals
-1.16
Passing by
381 (87%)
Accurate passes
465 (87%)
Turn off the spoiler to see the events of the match
1
G
Alvaro Valles
6.7
23
d
Firpo Junior
6.5
16
d
Valentine Gomez
6.3
d
Diego Llorente
81′ the next match is lost
2
d
Hector BellerÃn (C)
7.0
20
m
Giovani Lo Celso
6.9
14
m
Sofia Amrabat
6.9
m
Pablo Fornals
68′
9′
10
F
Abdessamad Ezzalzouli
7.2
F
Cucho Hernandez
9′
90+3′ the next match is lost
7
F
Anthony
7.9
The League Standings – First Division
Qualification/Relegation
- Promotion – Champions League (League phase)
- Promotion – Europa League (League phase)
- Promotion – Conference League (ranking)
- Relegation – LaLiga2
Real Betis held off Elche 2-1 at Estadio La Cartuja to claim a vital win, with a second-half goal from Pablo Fornals proving decisive despite the visitors playing most of the game with ten men.
Real Betis moved up to fifth in the League with this hard-fought victory over Elche. Betis entered the match in good form, with 54 points in 35 games. Elche, meanwhile, was in 14th position with 39 points and needed a good end to the season.
The home side started strongly and took the lead in just the ninth minute. Cucho Hernández struck first to give Betis an early lead at the Sevilla Stadium. The Colombian striker’s first goal set the tone for an aggressive opening by the hosts.
Elx responded well despite falling behind. The visiting team pushed forward with purpose and found the equalizer in the 41st minute. Héctor Fort shot past the Betis goalkeeper to equalize the score heading into the break.
The game changed dramatically early in the second half. Elche defender Lautaro Petrot received a red card in the 49th minute, leaving the visitors with ten men. This numerical advantage changed the tactical landscape considerably.
Betis made the most of their extra man. Pablo Fornals restored the home side’s advantage in the 68th minute with a clinical finish. The midfielder’s goal was the winner and gave Betis a breather with more than twenty minutes to go.
Elche fought hard despite their disadvantage but could not find another breakthrough. The visiting team managed only two shots on goal throughout the match. Betis controlled the closing stages, with several players receiving yellow cards as the game grew increasingly nasty.
The statistics told the story of Betis’ dominance. Betis recorded a total of 16 shots against Elche’s nine, with seven shots on goal for the two visitors. Expected goals heavily favored the home team at 1.52 to 0.51.
Fornals was named the most outstanding performer, with an 8.3 rating and recording both a goal and an assist. Cucho Hernández also impressed with a goal and three shots on goal despite playing with ten teammates for most of the second half.
This victory maintains Betis’ momentum for European qualification. The win moves them closer to the top four as the season enters its final stages. Elche’s playoff hopes suffered a setback, although they remain within touching distance of safety.
