Real Betis demolish Panathinaikos in return match to reach Europa League quarter finals
After edging a narrow 1 0 win one week prior, Panathinaikos entered the evening with the upper hand for advancement. Yet that advantage evaporated merely seven minutes into the action, as a hopeful effort from distance by Cucho Hernández struck the crossbar and bounced towards deputy forward Ruibal, who settled the ball with his chest before blasting it home to draw the aggregate level. The visitors failed to find any footing in the contest, while the Green and Whites nearly doubled their tally moments later, only for Sverrir Ingi Ingasons precise challenge to thwart Pablo Fornals from slotting in up close after he slipped into clear space within the penalty area.
Andrews Tetteh stood out as the solitary positive for the away team, yet he wasted a decent chance by shooting directly at Pau López approaching the half hour juncture, a miss that proved costly right before the interval when Sofyan Amrabat fired Betis into the lead overall. Believing himself trapped offside during an exchange with Ricardo Rodriguez, the Moroccan clumsily lofted the ball high towards his fellow countryman Amrabat. Attempting to thread a pass to Rodriguez, but with Renato Sanches clearance handing the ball straight back to Amrabat, he curled a stunning rocket into the upper left corner of Alban Lafonts goal.
After managing multiple goals for just the second occasion in their last six key fixtures, expectations rose for Betis to dominate Panathinaikos post break. Sure enough, within eight minutes of resuming, they sealed progression courtesy of Cucho Hernándezs immaculate movement, latching onto Marc Bartras subtle aerial delivery across the box and guiding a side foot finish beyond the stranded Lafont. This prompted an immediate double substitution from the Panathinaikos sidelines, though it barely influenced proceedings as the match swiftly became a rout.
Indeed, Betis intensified their control following their own pair of alterations, adding a fourth that highlighted the clear disparity in quality, with Cuchos distribution to Ezzalzouli allowing him to surge along the left side and bear down on the target. Instead of forcing an attempt from the tight angle towards the near upright, he generously laid it back for Antony to steer into the net and complete an excellent collective effort. Lafonts sharp reflexes alone kept Marc Roca from a fifth goal with fifteen minutes remaining, and similar resilience blocked Antony from claiming two on the evening as the ex Manchester United player broke clear for a personal duel.
Despite pushing hard for a five goal triumph, which would have been their first such result in a major European knockout since 1998, Betis settled at four, already turning thoughts to their upcoming quarter final clash against fellow comeback specialists Braga. The dates of 9th April and 16th April now loom large for the Green and Whites in their showdown with Portugals top challengers to the elite trio, following a commanding performance that shattered Panathinaikoss fragile nine match unbeaten streak.