Sevilla 0-2 Real Betis Player Ratings: Fornals Rated 8.5/10 as Betis Dominate Derby with a Comfortable 2-0 Victory

In a pulsating La Liga derby, Real Betis delivered a tactical masterclass to secure a commanding 2-0 victory over their city rivals, Sevilla. Betis looked organised and incisive, while Sevilla appeared disjointed and struggled to find any rhythm throughout the game. The atmosphere was electric, but it was the travelling fans who left with bragging rights firmly in hand.

The game turned decisively in the second half. Pablo Fornals broke the deadlock with a well-taken finish in the 54th minute, capitalizing on some slack defending. What stood out to us was how Betis refused to sit back, and their persistence paid off when substitute Sergi Altimira fired home a second goal just 14 minutes later, effectively killing the match as a contest. Sevilla's miserable evening was compounded by a late red card for substitute Isaac Romero, summing up a performance they will want to forget quickly.

From the first whistle, Real Betis seemed more composed. They controlled the midfield battle and were relentless in their pressing, forcing errors from a nervy Sevilla backline. While the first half was a tight affair with few clear-cut chances, Betis always looked the more likely to score. Their clinical finishing in the second half was the difference.

Here are Sevilla Vs Real Betis Player Ratings

Real Betis Player Ratings vs Sevilla

Here are Real Betis Player Ratings vs Sevilla

Goalkeeper

Álvaro Valles - 7.0: A very comfortable evening for the Betis keeper. He was rarely tested but made two important saves when called upon, including a smart stop to deny Alfon González early in the second half. What we noticed was his confident handling and distribution. He commanded his area well and was a calm presence, securing a well-deserved clean sheet.

Defenders

Natan - 7.5: A rock at the back. He was immense, racking up an impressive eight clearances and four interceptions. From our perspective, he read the game beautifully and was perfectly positioned to snuff out Sevilla's infrequent attacks. He was dominant and gave Akor Adams absolutely nothing to work with all game.

Marc Bartra - 7.5: The captain led by example with a warrior-like display. He won a staggering eight of his thirteen duels and was a colossal presence in the air. His crucial clearance off the line was a match-defining moment. The yellow card was a minor blemish on an otherwise superb defensive performance that radiated authority.

Valentín Gómez - 7.0: A really bright performance from the full-back. He contributed six clearances defensively and was a constant threat going forward, even creating two chances for his teammates. He got caught out a couple of times, but his energy and willingness to support the attack were invaluable. A very promising outing.

Aitor Ruibal - 6.5: A mixed performance. He was solid for the most part, making four tackles, but his yellow card was unnecessary and put him on a tightrope. He seemed a little too eager at times, losing possession on eight occasions. He did his job, but lacked the composure of his fellow defenders.

Midfielders

Pablo Fornals - 8.5: The clear man of the match. He was simply outstanding. His goal was taken with the coolness of a seasoned poacher, and he was the creative hub for Betis, creating two key chances. He looked a class above everyone else on the pitch, drifting into dangerous spaces and orchestrating the attack. A masterful performance.

Abde Ezzalzouli - 7.0: A whirlwind of energy on the wing. He was a nightmare for defenders, winning a remarkable 13 duels and constantly driving his team forward. His final ball was sometimes lacking, and he lost possession a lot, but his relentless work rate and disruptive presence were crucial to unsettling the Sevilla defence.

Nelson Deossa - 7.0: He was an absolute engine in the midfield for his 63 minutes on the pitch. Winning 11 duels showed his dominance in the middle of the park. He provided the steel that allowed players like Fornals to flourish. We were surprised to see him subbed, as he was bossing his area of the pitch.

Marc Roca - 6.5: A quiet but effective game. He kept the ball moving with an 82% pass accuracy and did the dirty work, though he did give away four fouls. He wasn't spectacular, but he provided the necessary balance in midfield, breaking up play and protecting the backline. A solid, disciplined shift.

Pablo García - 6.5: Looked very lively during his time on the pitch. He had a couple of shots and wasn't afraid to take players on. His energy was infectious, though his end product wasn't always there. A decent showing before he was substituted.

Forwards

Cucho Hernández - 6.0: It was a frustrating night for the forward. He worked hard but was physically dominated, winning just one of his eight duels. He was often isolated and struggled to get involved in the game's decisive moments. He linked play decently but offered little threat in front of goal.

Substitutes

Sergi Altimira - 7.5: What an impact. Came on and scored a fantastic goal to seal the victory. A dream substitution.

Manager

M. Pellegrini - 8.0: His game plan was executed to perfection. His team was organized defensively and clinical in attack. The decision to bring on Sergi Altimira was a masterstroke. He completely out-thought his counterpart in the opposing dugout.

Sevilla Player Ratings vs Real Betis

Here are Sevilla Player Ratings vs Real Betis

Goalkeeper

Odysseas Vlachodimos - 6.0: It's harsh to blame him entirely for the goals. He was left exposed by his defence on both occasions. He made a couple of decent saves, but ultimately conceded twice and ended up on the losing side. A difficult night where he could do little to change his team's fate.

Defenders

José Ángel Carmona - 5.5: He really struggled against the lively Betis attackers. He was dribbled past twice and picked up a silly yellow card late on. He drew a few fouls but looked off the pace defensively and was a clear point of weakness that Betis exploited.

César Azpilicueta - 6.5: Tried to hold a shaky defence together. He was one of the few Sevilla players who can hold their head high. He made a number of important tackles and interceptions, and his experience was evident. However, even he couldn't stem the tide against a superior Betis side.

Juanlu Sánchez - 4.5: A truly torrid evening for the defender. From our perspective, he was the worst performer on the pitch. He was dribbled past an astonishing five times and won only 31% of his duels. He looked completely out of his depth and was a liability from start to finish. A night to forget.

Marcão - 5.0: His 45-minute cameo was poor before injury forced him off. The captain made an error that led to a shot and received a yellow card. He looked uncertain and his early departure perhaps summed up Sevilla's lack of fight. Not the leadership his team needed.

Midfielders

Peque Fernández - 7.5: Sevilla's sole bright spark. He was absolutely everywhere, drawing an incredible six fouls and trying to create something out of nothing. He fought a lone battle in midfield and showed real quality on the ball. It was a shame his teammates couldn't match his level of performance.

Alfon González - 5.5: A ghost in the midfield. He was anonymous for his 61 minutes on the pitch, winning only one of his seven duels. He offered nothing going forward and was easily bypassed defensively. His substitution was no surprise.

Batista Mendy - 5.0: Despite a high pass completion rate, his game will be remembered for the critical error that led to the first Betis goal. That mistake was a turning point, and it's impossible to rate him any higher. A costly and decisive lapse in concentration.

Djibril Sow - 6.0: A tidy but ineffective performance. He was neat in possession but offered very little penetration or defensive cover. He drifted through the game without making any significant impact before being substituted. An average display in a team that needed much more.

Chidera Ejuke - 6.0: He showed flashes of skill with some successful dribbles, but there was no end product. He lost the ball far too often and his decision-making in the final third was poor. Looked busy but ultimately flattered to deceive without creating any real danger.

Forwards

Akor Adams - 5.5: A thankless task leading the line. He was starved of any decent service and was well-marshalled by the Betis defence. He missed the one big chance that came his way and was caught offside twice. He worked hard but was completely isolated.

Substitutes

Kike Salas - 6.0: Came on for the injured Marcão and did okay, but the damage was already being done.

Isaac Romero - 4.0: Came on and got a straight red card. A moment of madness that compounded his team's misery.

Alexis Sánchez - 5.5: Brought on to change the game but had little to no impact.

Lucien Agoumé - 6.0: Tidy on the ball but couldn't influence the result.

Miguel Sierra - N/A: Not on long enough to rate.

Manager

M. Almeyda - 4.5: His team looked tactically naive and unprepared for the intensity of the derby. They were second best in every department. His substitutions failed to change the game, and the team's overall lack of discipline and structure falls squarely on his shoulders.

Sportsdunia's player of the match is Fornals