Real Betis 2-1 FC Utrecht Player Ratings: Spanish Side Edge Past Utrecht in Thrilling Clash

Real Betis secured a narrow 2–1 win over a determined FC Utrecht in a dramatic Europa League encounter. The match delivered tension from the start, and Betis were dealt two major setbacks early on, losing Isco and Sofyan Amrabat to injuries within the first fifteen minutes. Their game plan had to change immediately.

Even with the disruption, Betis managed to steady themselves. Cucho Hernández opened the scoring with a well-placed header just before halftime. Early in the second half, Abde Ezzalzouli added a second goal, giving Betis what looked like a comfortable advantage.

Utrecht refused to fade. Miguel Rodríguez struck a powerful long-range goal to bring the visitors back into the contest, setting up a tense finish. The decisive moment came when Utrecht had a potential equalizer ruled out by VAR, leaving their players and supporters frustrated.

In the end, Betis held on. It was a competitive European match decided by small details and standout moments.

Here are Sportsdunia’s Real Betis vs Utrecht Player Ratings from the UEFA Europa League:

Real Betis Player Ratings vs FC Utrecht

Check out Real Betis Player Ratings from Real Betis vs Utrecht game:

Goalkeeper

Álvaro Valles - 6.5: A relatively straightforward evening for the Betis keeper. He made the saves he was expected to make, looking composed when called upon. There was absolutely nothing he could have done about the stunner from Rodríguez. He commanded his box well enough and his distribution was decent, though not perfect. Overall, a solid if unspectacular performance.

Defenders

Diego Llorente - 7.0: A really strong showing from Llorente at the heart of the defense. What stood out to us was his dominance in the air, winning six aerial duels. He was composed on the ball, with a 93% pass accuracy. Made a massive seven clearances to relieve pressure when Utrecht pushed forward in the second half. A very reliable performance.

Natan - 7.0: Partnered Llorente well and looked just as solid. He matched his partner's seven clearances and was strong in his duels. We noticed he even tried to get forward, creating a chance late in the game. His block in the box was a key moment. He was dribbled past once but recovered well, showing good resilience. A very competent display.

Ricardo Rodríguez - 6.0: A mixed bag from the fullback. He showed good attacking intent and delivered a great cross. However, he was caught out defensively on a couple of occasions and committed four fouls, earning a yellow card for his troubles. From our perspective, he needs to find a better balance between his attacking and defensive duties.

Ángel Ortiz - 6.5: A very busy night for Ortiz. He was constantly involved, racking up 88 touches. He was a willing runner and tried to make things happen, creating two chances for his teammates. However, he was a bit wasteful, losing possession 12 times and taking a wild shot off target. An energetic but ultimately frustrating performance.

Midfielders

Sergi Altimira - 7.5: The midfield metronome for Betis. He was simply superb at keeping possession, boasting a 93% pass accuracy. What really caught our eye was his defensive work; winning the ball back nine times was immense. He kept the play ticking over and provided a solid base for the attackers to work from. A really intelligent and tidy performance.

Antony - 7.5: Provided the moment of quality needed for the opening goal with a perfect cross. He was a consistent threat down the right, creating a big chance and always looking to be positive. He wasn't afraid to do the dirty work either, making six recoveries. His end product made a decisive difference in this tight game.

Abde Ezzalzouli - 8.0: Scored a fantastic goal from distance that looked to have sealed the game. His direct running and dribbling caused all sorts of problems for the Utrecht defence. He was full of energy and won an impressive nine duels. A truly dynamic and impactful performance before he was substituted. He was a joy to watch.

Sofyan Amrabat - 5.5: It's tough to rate him given he only lasted 15 minutes. He managed to get a shot off, which flew off target, but he was barely on the pitch before injury cruelly ended his night. It's a shame as the team could have used his midfield presence. We can't really judge his performance on such limited time.

Isco - 5.0: Another tragic casualty of the opening minutes. The captain was on the pitch for less than ten minutes before being forced off. In that brief spell, he looked to get on the ball, but his night was over before it ever really began. A massive blow for Betis to lose their creative spark so early.

Forwards

Cucho Hernández - 8.5: Our man of the match. He was a complete nuisance for the opposition defence. He scored a poacher's header to open the scoring and was a constant threat with five shots in total. His work rate was phenomenal, winning seven duels and recovering the ball five times. He led the line brilliantly until his substitution.

Manager

M. Pellegrini - 7.0: His initial game plan was thrown into utter chaos within 15 minutes. Losing two key midfielders would derail many teams. From our perspective, he managed the situation well, making quick changes and ensuring his side stayed organized. The team showed resilience to grind out the win, which is a credit to his management. He earned this victory.

FC Utrecht Player Ratings vs Real Betis

Check out Utrecht Player Ratings from Real Betis vs Utrecht UEFA Europa League game:

Goalkeeper

Michael Brouwer - 6.5: He couldn't do anything about the two excellent goals he conceded. Beyond that, he made three important saves to keep his team in the contest, especially in the second half. His distribution was a bit hit-and-miss, but he was a solid presence between the sticks. He can hold his head high despite the loss.

Defenders

Siebe Horemans - 6.0: A difficult assignment against the tricky Betis wingers. He battled hard, winning six of his duels, but he was often on the back foot. He lost possession 13 times which put his team under unnecessary pressure. It was a tough night, but he never gave up the fight. A battling, if not entirely successful, performance.

Mike van der Hoorn - 7.5: An absolutely heroic display of defending. He was a wall at the back, making an incredible four blocked shots. The highlight was his clearance off the line, a truly game-saving intervention at the time. He was a warrior for his team before being subbed off. What an effort.

Souffian El Karouani - 5.5: A really tough first half for the defender. He struggled to get into the game and lost possession far too often, giving it away 13 times in just 45 minutes. He had one shot on target but was mostly chasing shadows. His evening was cut short by injury at halftime, capping a frustrating outing.

Nick Viergever - 6.0: The captain had a surprisingly quiet game. He wasn't as commanding as we've seen him be in the past. His passing was a bit off, with only 72% accuracy, and he only won one of his two duels. Not a bad performance, but you expect more from your leader in a big European game.

Midfielders

Can Bozdogan - 4.5: A night he'll want to forget quickly. His error leading to a goal was a catastrophic moment that put his team in a huge hole. It was a lapse in concentration that proved incredibly costly. He was substituted before the hour mark, and it wasn't a surprise. A very poor performance.

D. de Wit - 6.5: A proper midfield battle from de Wit. He was a physical force, winning an impressive nine duels and five aerials. He worked tirelessly to disrupt Betis's rhythm and put in three tackles. He didn't offer much going forward, but his defensive contribution was very valuable. A grafter's performance.

Alonzo Engwanda - 6.0: Very neat and tidy in possession, with a 97% pass completion rate. However, we felt his performance lacked impact. He played it very safe and didn't influence the game in the final third. Picked up a yellow card for a cynical foul. A performance that was efficient but not effective.

Forwards

Yoann Cathline - 6.0: He showed some flashes of his ability with a couple of successful dribbles. But overall, it was a frustrating night for him. He lost possession a staggering 16 times, which killed many of his team's attacks before they could even start. The effort was there, but the execution was not.

Miguel Rodríguez - 8.0: Utrecht's shining light. He scored an absolute thunderbolt from long range to drag his team back into the game. He was a nightmare for the Betis defense, drawing six fouls and always looking to create. The only downside was his tendency to lose the ball, but his goal and overall threat were outstanding.

Sébastien Haller - 6.5: He got an assist, but this was a quiet game by his standards. He was a physical presence, winning five aerials, but he struggled to get into shooting positions. A 50% pass accuracy is not what you expect from a player of his calibre. He contributed, but we were left wanting more.

Manager

R. Jans - 6.5: His side was on the ropes at 2-0 down, but he rallied them well. They showed tremendous character to fight their way back into the match. He was desperately unlucky that the VAR decision went against them for the equalizer. His substitutions were positive, and he almost masterminded an incredible comeback. A good tactical effort.

Sportsdunia’s Player of the Match goes to Cucho Hernandez.