Real Betis secure Champions League qualification after narrow win against 10-man Elche

Aware that a win would guarantee a top-five finish, the home team started brilliantly by taking the lead after only nine minutes, with Cucho Hernández curling a superb shot into the bottom corner from beyond the penalty area.

Antony squandered an opportunity to extend the lead, while Eder Sarabia’s squad, sitting just above the drop zone at kick-off, found it hard to create chances.

Their leveller, arriving four minutes from half-time, was completely unexpected. Hector Fort, borrowed from Barcelona, delivered it with a precise finish into the far top corner from close range, marking his second league strike this season.

 This shift gave the away side some belief, yet Andre Silva and Aleix Febas spurned major chances, and Grady Diangana saw a goal disallowed due to a handball in the buildup right at the interval.

Prospects of a second goal for the visitors faded quickly when Leo Petrot received a red card soon into the second half, the defender shown the door for a reckless challenge that saw his studs drag along Antony’s leg as he followed through.

This gave Manuel Pellegrini’s team the upper hand to regain control, as Hernandez’s header was deflected onto the crossbar, followed by Giovani Lo Celso’s effort being comfortably held.

Betis had dropped points in only one of their previous nine home encounters with Elche, leaving them with thirty minutes to clinch victory. 

However, it took just eight of those minutes for Pablo Fornals to end a two-month goal drought with a stunning long-range effort that flew into the top corner. 

From that point, more goals seemed likely, with Abde Ezzalzouli stopped by keeper Matías Dituro on a quick break, and after Álvaro Rodríguez fired high at the opposite end, Isco dragged his shot wide from near the penalty spot.

Elche introduced several forwards in a bid to prevent a third straight winless outing, but inaccurate shooting ultimately cost them.

The La Liga survival battle remains intensely close, meaning they might find themselves in the bottom three by their next match against Getafe on Sunday, while Real Betis, who nearly netted a third via Hernández in added time, stretched their unbeaten streak to seven games.