Real Betis 2-2 Sevilla Player Ratings: Isaac Romero MOTM as Visitors Fight Back in 2nd Half to Seal Draw | La Liga

The Seville derby delivered drama from start to finish as Real Betis and their arch-rivals Sevilla played out a thrilling 2-2 draw in La Liga. Real Betis were in complete control during the first half. They attacked with confidence and took a two-goal lead. But Sevilla bounced back after the break and secured one point from the away game. In this article, we'll discuss Real Betis vs Sevilla player ratings from the game.

The first goal of Betis came from Antony after a sharp attacking move. Soon after, Álvaro Fidalgo scored with a calm and clinical finish. Abde Ezzalzouli was outstanding. He created chances and controlled the tempo of the game. But the second half told a different story.

Sevilla came out with more energy and aggression in the second half. They pressed higher and played with urgency. The breakthrough came when veteran forward Alexis Sánchez scored with a clever header, giving Sevilla hope.

The momentum shifted. Betis started to feel the pressure, with Sevilla pushing forward again and again. Late in the match, substitute Isaac Romero found the equalizer in a crowded box. The away fans celebrated wildly after the dramatic comeback.

Key Takeaways

1. Antony opened the scoring for Real Betis with a sharp finish after a quick attacking move.
2. Alexis Sánchez pulled one back for Sevilla FC with a clever header early in the second half.
3. Isaac Romero scored a late equalizer, completing Sevilla’s dramatic comeback in the derby.

Real Betis Player Ratings vs Sevilla

Here are Sportsdunia's Real Betis player ratings from the game against Sevilla:

Goalkeeper

Álvaro Valles - 6.5: He made a couple of important saves inside the box and looked generally composed. However, conceding two goals after being 2-0 up never looks good for a keeper. From our view, he couldn't have done much about either goal, but the collapse happened on his watch. He claimed one high ball well which showed confidence.

Defenders

Diego Llorente - 7.0: A real mixed bag of a performance. He was a rock in the first half, winning duels and making crucial clearances, including one off the line. As Sevilla turned up the heat, he started to look a bit more stretched. The yellow card he picked up was a result of that mounting pressure. A solid but ultimately frustrating evening.

Natan - 6.0: A fairly quiet game for the defender, which isn't always a bad thing. He was neat in possession but looked a little overwhelmed when Sevilla began their second-half onslaught. His clumsy foul led to a yellow card, which summed up his slight unease during the latter stages. A performance he won't remember for long.

Ricardo Rodríguez - 5.5: We thought this was a poor outing for him. He offered very little going forward and his passing was erratic, losing possession 12 times. Defensively, he seemed a step off the pace, especially in the second half. Just not his day.

Aitor Ruibal - 6.5: The captain put in a real shift, as you'd expect. He made 10 ball recoveries and won most of his duels, showing his commitment. However, like the rest of the defence, he couldn't stem the tide in the second half. His determination was visible, but it wasn't enough to secure the three points.

Midfielders

Pablo Fornals - 7.0: A very tidy and creative display from Fornals. He created three chances and his passing was crisp and inventive throughout. What stood out to us was his work rate, though he did fade slightly as Sevilla gained control of the midfield. He was a key part of why Betis were so good in the first 45 minutes.

Álvaro Fidalgo - 7.5: Absolutely ran the show in the first half and took his goal with supreme confidence. His energy and smart passing were crucial to Betis's dominance. It was no surprise that the team's control waned after he was substituted. He can be very proud of his contribution.

Marc Roca - 6.5: He kept the ball moving with a 90% pass accuracy and made a few important clearances. However, from our perspective, he didn't impose himself on the match enough. In a derby, you want your central midfielders to grab the game by the scruff of the neck, and he was a bit too passive, especially when his team needed a leader.

Forwards

Antony - 7.5: Scored the opener with a good finish and was a constant bundle of energy. He won a high number of duels and recovered the ball an impressive 12 times, showing his defensive contribution. The only downside was losing possession 20 times, which is far too high. A good performance but one with clear room for improvement.

Abde Ezzalzouli - 8.0: Our clear man of the match. He was simply electric. Every time he got the ball, you felt something was about to happen. He provided the sublime assist for the second goal, created other big chances, and was a constant thorn in Sevilla's side. If his teammates had been on his wavelength all game, Betis would have won comfortably.

Cucho Hernández - 6.0: A really disappointing outing for the striker. He missed a gilt-edged chance just before the first goal and was largely anonymous otherwise. He only had 18 touches in his 70 minutes on the pitch, which tells its own story. He was rightly substituted.

Substitutes

Sergi Altimira - 6.0: Came on for Fidalgo but couldn't replicate his influence. The game had already shifted in Sevilla's favour.

Cédric Bakambu - 6.0: Brought on to offer fresh legs up front but barely had a sniff of the ball.

Manager

M. Pellegrini - 5.5: He will be absolutely livid. His team was brilliant in the first half and had the game won. His inability to adjust tactics or make subs to counter Sevilla's second-half resurgence cost his team dearly. A tactical failure to see out the game.

Sevilla Player Ratings vs Real Betis

Check out Sevilla player ratings from the La Liga match against Real Betis:

Goalkeeper

Odysseas Vlachodimos - 6.0: There was very little he could do about either of the goals he conceded in the first half. He was left completely exposed by his defence. In the second half, he had very little to do as his team took control of the game. An odd, quiet day for a keeper who conceded twice.

Defenders

César Azpilicueta - 6.5: The experienced defender had a torrid time against Abde Ezzalzouli in the first half. However, he showed his professionalism and improved as the game went on, making some key interceptions. His leadership was valuable even when he was struggling individually. Substituted after a tough 74 minutes.

Kike Salas - 7.0: A chaotic but effective performance. He was booked for one of his five fouls but also made 10 duel wins and 4 interceptions. He was all over the pitch, sometimes looking reckless, other times heroic. His aggressive style was a key part of Sevilla's fightback, even if it was a bit messy.

Nemanja Gudelj - 7.0: What stood out to us was his incredible composure on the ball. The captain completed 100% of his 70 passes, which is just sensational for a centre-back. He marshalled the backline with authority and made some crucial clearances. A true captain's performance when his team was under pressure.

Juanlu Sánchez - 7.0: A really bright and energetic display. He was excellent in possession, rarely giving the ball away, and was a willing runner down the flank. He completed all of his dribble attempts and was solid defensively. A very promising performance from the youngster.

Midfielders

José Ángel Carmona - 5.0: Completely ineffective in the first half. He struggled to make any impact on the game and was unsurprisingly substituted at half-time. A day he'll want to forget quickly.

Gabriel Suazo - 5.5: Similar to Carmona, he was overrun in midfield during the first period. He picked up an early yellow card and was hooked at the break. The manager's decision to replace him was vindicated by the team's improvement.

Lucien Agoumé - 7.0: After a quiet start, he grew into the game significantly. In the second half, he was pivotal in linking play, making 14 passes into the final third. He worked tirelessly to win back possession and drive his team forward. A much-improved second 45.

Djibril Sow - 7.5: He was another player who transformed after half-time. He was neat and tidy throughout, but his big moment was the crucial headed assist for the equalizing goal. His pass completion was excellent and he helped wrestle control of the midfield for Sevilla.

Forwards

Akor Adams - 6.5: We were frustrated watching him. His work rate can't be faulted, but his finishing was extremely poor. He had four shots, three on target, but couldn't convert, including missing a big chance. He needs to be more clinical if he's to lead the line for this team.

Alexis Sánchez - 7.5: The wily veteran showed his class. He was a threat even when his team was struggling and he took his goal brilliantly to spark the comeback. His experience and quality were vital in turning the tide. A great performance before being subbed to a deserved rest.

Substitutes

Chidera Ejuke - 7.0: Came on at half-time and his direct running caused problems for the Betis defence.

Oso - 7.5: A fantastic substitution. He provided the assist for Sevilla's first goal with a great cross and helped change the dynamic of the attack.

Isaac Romero - 8.0: The hero. Came on and snatched the all-important equalizer. His energy was infectious, and he earned his yellow card for a celebration filled with pure derby passion.

Adnan Januzaj - 6.5: Looked lively and had a couple of shots from distance.

Batista Mendy - N/A: Brought on late to see out the draw.

Manager

F. Martínez Rodríguez - 8.0: His half-time substitutions were a stroke of genius. He identified the problems, made bold changes, and completely turned the game on its head. He deserves immense credit for masterminding this incredible comeback and salvaging a point.

Man of the Match

Sportsdunia's player of the match was Abde Ezzalzouli.

Worst Performer

Ricardo Rodríguez had a difficult outing.