Betis erases the memory of losing to Atletico with the closing of the Metropolitano
Atletico Madrid 0-1 Real Betis
After the 5-0 win over Atletico Madrid three days ago, it would be fair to ask how many Real Betis players were jealous of the trip to face the same team at the Metropolitano. However, their trip home will not leave a trace of the tall faces seen at La Cartuja in the Copa del Rey.
Betis started the game noting that allowing Atletico new player Ademola Lookman space to stretch his legs was their biggest problem in the previous encounter, which went too deep in the first exchange. Lookman still had the first effort of any danger, firing wide after nine minutes, but this time it was Cedric Bakambu who was given the opportunity to step up, first Pablo Fornals and then Ez Abde turning and heading his way. On both occasions, Jan Oblak managed to make some very comfortable saves for the likes of Manuel Pellegrini.
La cabra y sus locuras 🫡#LaLigaHighLights pic.twitter.com/miZCcMumCF
— Real Betis Balompié 🌴💚 (@RealBetis) February 8, 2026
It was also an eventful season for Rodrigo Mendoza, making his Atletico debut. Controlling the ball, and daring to attempt sharp passes, he was quickly reminded of his mortality, almost calling for a goal as Abde easily read his pass to stop Bakambu’s second chance. After an exciting start for both sides, the game settled into more rhythm, with Betis holding onto the ball for as long as possible.
Those long spells were finding no gaps in Atletico’s defence, which is why Antony’s 29th-minute opener seemed to come from one of the worst spells of the game. The Brazilian’s curling shot from 25 yards looked free, but as it sank towards the corner, Oblak appeared to be stuck, unable to push it away with his hand from his near post. A wake-up call for Atletico, worse it put a growing belief in the Betis team and an increasingly noisy section.
Conversely, the home crowd was starting to raise the volume towards the end of the half again. Their voice was pure frustration. Lookman had the ball in the net at half-time, but was ruled offside when he converted Marcos Llorente’s cross.
Real Betis made a memory wipe at the Metropolitano
Diego Simeone responded with four changes in the first 10 minutes of the second half, three of them at half-time – Alex Baena’s best, forcing his way through the defense, though to no avail. Now with Koke Resurreccion holding down the fort in midfield, Betis continued to track their runners diligently, with Alvaro Fidalgo putting in a solid effort on his first start. As the 70′ mark approached, Atletico Madrid’s best prospect looked set. Alexander Sorloth curled a corner into the roof of the net, before a weak header landed straight into the arms of Alvaro Valles, who was always very untroubled.
The second time he was not given a chance with 15 minutes left, this time with a header from Diego Llorente who was leading the way. Second, after a lengthy VAR review, that too was ruled a foul. Frustration in the Metropolitano roared with anger, which was a sign that Atlético could not find themselves in dangerous positions such as criticizing the referees.
Griezmann’s offside. pic.twitter.com/reA1TinrKE
РAtl̩tico Universe (@atletiuniverse) February 8, 2026
The ball went wide, but to call it a check would be generous. Pellegrini’s side have given up the desire to attack in favor of defence, efforts fueled by wounded pride on Thursday night. The Chilean did not change his side, sending new legs from time to time, but keeping their functions the same.
Simeone went with Koke in midfield, dropping all four players and Baena at Betis, but after 10 minutes of disappointing results, he brought on Obed Vargas to level things up again. That too failed to instill any more cohesion in their build, or cut in their passing. As the game went into stoppage time, the crescendo was conspicuous by its absence.
By the final whistle, all traces of Thursday night’s character had been erased. A fluid, intelligent, exciting performance was replaced by a thoughtless Atletico, who fell into a pattern of inertia, creating little chance in the final minutes. Betis, on the other hand, appeared clumsy and short on solutions earlier in the week. This time they seemed to understand how to give Atletico away in the second half. Antony got the goal, Natan and Diego Llorente were waiting for all the crosses, but what stood out was their complete dedication.
The three points put Los Verdiblancos four points clear of Espanyol in 6th place, and Villarreal in 4th place (with one and two games in hand respectively), but Pellegrini will no doubt measure the reaction as a result. Atletico can once again be caught by the Yellow Submarine if they beat Espanyol on Monday night. If Simeone needs any persuasion to put the Copa del Rey ahead on Thursday, a 13-point gap to Barcelona at the top looks to be enough.
