Real Betis claimed a slender 2-1 advantage in their UEFA Conference League semi-final first leg against Fiorentina, as moments of brilliance and missed chances lit up a pulsating night in Seville.
Los Verdiblancos flew out of the blocks and looked to have taken a deserved early lead when Abde Ezzalzouli smashed home from close range after Cedric Bakambu’s powerful run and cut-back.
The Moroccan’s finish clattered the underside of the bar, and only a delayed goal-line technology confirmation from referee Michael Oliver settled the nerves inside a roaring Benito Villamarín.
Fiorentina struggled to cope early on but gradually steadied, with Rolando Mandragora and Albert Gudmundsson both going close either side of half-time.
At the other end, Marc Bartra spurned a golden chance and was later denied by a superb David de Gea save as Betis chased a cushion.
That moment of comfort briefly arrived when Antony unleashed a rocket into the top corner midway through the second half, sparking wild celebrations.
But Pablo Fornals’ weak finish moments later cost Betis dearly, as Fiorentina responded immediately, Robin Gosens’ low cross turned in by captain Luca Ranieri to breathe life back into the tie.
A trip to Florence now awaits with everything still to play for, but Betis will regret not making their dominance count more decisively.
