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BVB Earns Hard-Fought Victory Over Betis
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- BVB Earns Hard-Fought Victory Over Betis
BVB Earns Hard-Fought Victory Over Betis
From the opening whistle, the 81,365 at sold-out SIGNAL IDUNA PARK could see why Betis ranks among the top four teams in Spain. With the opposition fielding a squad full of techchnically gifted players who showed no fear and waited for the right moments to attack, the Borussia could ill-afford even a single lapse in concentration. However, lapses did occur, such as on Antony's 14th-minute goal that was called back for offside.
BVB frequently attempted to find Julian Ryerson through long balls over the top. In just the third minute, the Norwegian served up a quality cross from the right, but Serhou Guirassy missed it by a hair. Shortly thereafter, Jobe Bellingham was set up by Ryerson and cut the ball back to Guirassy from the end line. However, the forward sent his shot wide of the target (21'). Mere moments later, Daniel Svensson had the best look of the first half. Ryerson again enjoyed plenty of space on the right and sent a curling delivery into the box, where the onrushing Swede controlled the ball well but only managed a shot that was too central, allowing Betis goalkeeper Valles to throw up his right hand and prevent his side from falling behind.
After that, the two sides played each other to an increasingly even match. Borussia lost Guirassy early due to an injury to his left foot after the striker collided with the right post (29'; replaced by Konstantinos Karetsas), and his teammates struggled to break through against a strong visiting side, as they lacked attacking punch.
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Three minutes into the second half, Head Coach Niko Kovac's team offered more evidence that "Borussia Dortmund" and "efficiency" have become synonymous this season. After Nmecha held his ground in the opposition half, a series of passes saw the ball reach Karetsas, who was barely fazed by repeated pulling on his shirt and found Ryerson on the right. The Norwegian's low cross was hit by Bellingham from five meters (roughly 5.5 yards) out. Valles made a superb save, but Fabio Silva pounced on the rebound, slotting home for 1-0.
Shortly after, Borussia's Karetsas threatend again. This time, he went for goal himself but was denied by Betis' excellent backstop (51'). After no foul was called when Ortiz stepped on Nmecha's foot on the left side of the penalty area (60'), BVB continued its strong spell and repeatedly knocked on the door. Instead of doubling their lead, Niko Kovac's men saw the oppositon level the score at 1-1. After Borussia lost the ball in its buildup; Abde found space on the left and crossed from the edge of the box, picking out the unmarked Aitor Ruibal. The substitute sent a calm finish into the far-side netting from a tight angle (67').
In an increasingly entertaining second half, Ryerson's cross three minutes after Betis' goal found Bellingham, who had an outstanding chance to make it 2-1. However, Valles produced a point-blank parry to keep out the Englishman's poweful header from four meters (roughly 4.4 yards) out. Fortunately for the home side, 'keeper Valles subsequently did less well on Konstantinos Karetsas' game-winner. Fabio Silva found the teenager just outside the penalty area, and Karetsas cut to his left before firing a low shot through a defender's legs and into the near corner from 17 meters (roughly 18.6 yards) out. Back on top 72 minutes into the match, the Black & Yellow would hold on to their narrow advantage until the final whistle.
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BORUSSIA DORTMUND – REAL BETIS 2-1 (0-0)
UEFA Champions League, Matchday 4Wednesday, November 4, 2026, 21:00 CET
BVB:Kobel – Anton, Schlotterbeck, Bensebaini (74' Gadou) – Ryerson (74' Beier), Veerman, Svensson – Bellingham, Nmecha (74' Chukwuemeka) – Fabio Silva (90'+1 Nwaneri), Guirassy (34' Karetsas) Bench:Drewes, Meyer; Mane, Dos Santos, Albert, Inacio Unavailable:Can (recovery training), Konstantelias (torn ACL), Lerma (muscle injury), Sabitzer (illness)
Sevilla:Valles – Ortiz, Llorente, Natan, Gomez (71' Fran Garcia) – Bernal (78' Roca), Deossa – Antony (62' Isco), Dani Ceballos (62' Aitor Ruibal), Abde – Parrott (78' Morante) Bench:Conde, Gonzalez, Bartra, Bellerin, Lo Celso, Pablo Fornals, Riquelme
