Betis wins the duel for the Champions League and Athletic downplays Villarreal

Osasuna is still glued to Europe against a weak Valladolid

MADRID, 30 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) -

Real Betis won the direct duel (0-2) against Real Sociedad for the Champions League zone in LaLiga Santander, on matchday 12 that also left Athletic Club triumphing this Sunday, in another direct duel against Villarreal (1-0), and the overwhelming victory of Osasuna against Real Valladolid (2-0).

Manuel Pellegrini's team stormed the Reale Arena thanks to a goal from youth squad Juan Cruz, recently renewed from Verdiblanco, five minutes from the end, and Borja Iglesias' lace in stoppage time. The Basques did not have that success, despite dominating large phases of the match and having the best chances.

A shot to the post by Carlos Fernández was the clearest, another also by Pablo Marín, while Betis took refuge in Fekir's control. The intensity increased even in the second half, with Rui Silva once again saving the visitors. Merino also forgave the Basques and Fekir hit the woodwork with a corner kick.

La Real paid dearly for an error at the start, with Juan Cruz, who had come on after the break, making it 0-1. In added time, Magunazelaia had the draw but Rui Silva was a giant. On the contrary, Betis ruled in the race of Álex Moreno who accompanied the 'Panda' on the other side. Betis is thus fourth, with 23 points, and the 'txuri-urdin' team, fifth with 22.

Meanwhile, in San Mamés it was noted that the local team was eager for victory after four games and it was Iñaki Williams who made it possible with 1-0 in the 60th minute. Quique Setién's league debut on the Villarreal bench left a bad image of the yellow team, greatly outmatched in the second half.

The first seemed like a formality, with the 'submarine' in a slow possession and the 'lions', very little fierce. After the break, Valverde enjoyed the best version of his team, in a physical and vertical display that he submitted to his rival, although it only resulted in a goal. Athletic forgave many clear chances, many due to visitor losses when the ball came out, as Pau Torres pointed out.

The goal came from a great ball won by Raúl García in the center of the field and his pass to uncheck an Iñaki Williams who scored his fifth goal in the League. Villarreal barely had the ball or left their field, they had a Danjuma, unable to take advantage of the life that Athletic gave him without a sentence. Those from Bilbao remain in the European 'Top 6' and the 'submarine' remains three from there.

In addition, Osasuna added three points that allow him to rub shoulders with the European zone (20) at the cost of a bad Valladolid. The start of the locals, before a spirited crowd in El Sadar, decided the match by the two goals they added in that strong staging.

Chimy Ávila and Moi Gómez made it 2-0 before the 20th minute, and Pacheta made three changes in search of reaction in the second half. The 'rojillo' team dominated in the center of the field and minimized a Pucela that came a priori grown by two consecutive victories.