Sevilla capitalise on Bravo errors to defeat rivals Real Betis 2-1
Sevilla defeated Real Betis 2-1 at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on Sunday to close the gap on Real Madrid to six points in La Liga. Two errors by Betis goalkeeper Claudio Bravo proved pivotal.
Bravo was recalled after a month out due to injury, but the 38-year-old had a nightmare first half, giving away a penalty that Ivan Rakitic converted before letting Munir El Haddadi’s strike squirm between his fingers.
Betis improved in the second half and could have pulled off a comeback had Sergio Canales’ spectacular free-kick, which looped delightfully into the corner, been scored earlier than the 94th minute. Instead, any feeble aspirations Betis had of edging out their opponents for second place look to have vanished, with their attention now focused on finishing in the top four.
Atletico Madrid, who they play next weekend, is only a point behind them in fourth place, while Barcelona and Villarreal are also four points behind them, with Barcelona having a game in hand. The game known as “El Gran Derbi” in La Liga has long been regarded as one of the best in the country, famed for its noise, emotion, enthusiasm, and, this season, tension.
On Saturday, Manuel Pellegrini described it as “momentous” and “immense,” and while Julen Lopetegui assured there were no thoughts of vengeance from Sevilla, the tense encounter in the cup last month added some spice.
