A two-goal burst in four first-half minutes turned another difficult night at Estadio de la Cerámica into a 2-1 defeat for Villarreal, as Real Betis climbed to third in La Liga and left the home side anchored in the relegation zone with only two points this season.
Gerard Moreno had given the hosts a 29th-minute lead, converting after Renato Veiga's flick-on. But the advantage lasted only ten minutes. Abde Ezzalzouli's surging run down the left forced a low parry from Péter Gulácsi, and Camilo Hernández reacted quickest to sweep the rebound in from close range.
Natan pounces as Betis flip the match before half-time
The winner arrived in the 43rd minute, again born from an Abde strike that Gulácsi could not hold. This time the loose ball fell to defender Natan, who finished decisively to complete the turnaround before the interval.
Villarreal's night shaped by early VAR frustration
The hosts thought they had opened the scoring after 20 minutes through Tajon Buchanan, but the goal was cancelled following a VAR review. The reversal did not stop Villarreal from pushing — they finished with 62 percent possession and seven corners — yet Betis produced 12 shots on target from 26 total attempts, repeatedly turning pressure into danger at the other end.
Gulácsi repels wave after wave but cannot save the night
For all the visitors' attacking volume, Gulácsi's interventions kept Villarreal within touching distance. His work between the posts was the main reason the margin never grew, even as Betis generated chances from open play and set pieces alike.
The result leaves Íñigo Pérez's side winless after five matches, with the pressure of the drop zone now a tangible concern. Betis, meanwhile, move level with second-placed Real Madrid on 12 points, their comeback a statement of resilience on the road.
Match Information
Competition: La Liga
Date & Time: Monday 14 September 2026, 21:00 CET
Venue: Estadio de la Cerámica, Villarreal
Referee: Francisco Jose Hernandez Maeso
