The Europa League clash between Real Betis and Sporting Braga ended in heartbreak for the home side, as they squandered a 2-0 lead to lose 2-4 and exit the competition. The match, held at La Cartuja in front of a record crowd, saw Betis dominate early but collapse after a controversial incident involving Bartra and Diego Llorente.
A somber Manuel Pellegrini told Movistar: “A very tough night. It’s hard to find explanations. We had 35 perfect minutes, then everything fell apart. Individual errors made us nervous. In the second half, we created very little. It’s incredible the goal they scored against us. I understand the fans’ anger; they have every right to be frustrated.”
Diego Llorente also faced the media: “We started well, but they got back into the game through our mistakes. If you switch off, you pay the price. Two set pieces, a penalty. Everything went their way and nothing went ours. It’s tough, but LaLiga remains. We gave everything, and sometimes it doesn’t work out.” Regarding his clash with Bartra, Llorente believed the game should have been stopped before the 2-1 goal: “In every other Europa League match, play has been stopped. The referee did the exact opposite of what has been done throughout the competition. Congratulations to him.”
Captain Bartra, fighting back tears, said: “This is the hardest night in years. After the first half we had, the blow is enormous. I understand the disappointment of the fans. We had high hopes to make history, but this is Europe. It hurts a lot. I’m furious.”
The match report by Miguel Ángel Morán describes how Betis crumbled. The 2-1 goal, a deflected strike after the head clash, changed everything. The final score was 2-4, eliminating Betis and leaving no Spanish teams in the Europa League semifinals.
The decisive moment of the match was the 2-1 goal, a misfortune that turned the game upside down.
A frustrated Cucho Hernández watches as Braga players celebrate.
The game ended with seven minutes of added time. Pau López saved a one-on-one from Horta to deny a fifth goal, but the damage was done. The stadium emptied early as fans expressed their discontent. Betis had a late flurry, with Bakambu forcing a save from Hornicek and Pablo García also testing the goalkeeper, but it was too little, too late. Final whistle: 2-4. Betis’ European dream is over.
