Real Betis secured a narrow 2-1 advantage over Fiorentina in the first leg of their Europa Conference League semi-final after a lively encounter in Seville on Thursday night. Goals from Abdessamad Ezzalzouli and Antony gave the Spanish side the edge ahead of the return leg in Italy.
Betis started strongly and went ahead in just the sixth minute. Cédric Bakambu set up Ezzalzouli, whose powerful shot struck the underside of the crossbar. Play initially continued, but a VAR check confirmed the ball had fully crossed the line before bouncing out, awarding Betis the early lead.
Fiorentina, aiming for a third consecutive appearance in the Conference League final, had chances to level, notably when Rolando Mandragora steered a cross wide from a good position. At the other end, Betis defender Marc Bartra missed a golden opportunity to double the lead just before halftime, firing over from close range following a corner.
Bartra was denied again shortly after the break by a superb one-handed reaction save from Fiorentina goalkeeper David de Gea. However, Betis did get their second goal in the 64th minute when Antony reacted quickest to a blocked shot, firing a fine half-volley from outside the box into the far corner.
The Italian side responded well and pulled a crucial goal back in the 73rd minute. Luca Ranieri arrived in the box to emphatically finish a cut-back, reducing the deficit and keeping Fiorentina firmly in the tie.
The second leg will take place in Florence next Thursday, May 8th. The winner will advance to the final in Wrocław, Poland, on May 28th, where they will face either Sweden’s Djurgården or Chelsea. Chelsea hold a commanding 4-1 lead from their first leg in Sweden.
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