Betis edge Fiorentina 2-1 in first leg of Conference League semis
SEVILLE, Spain : Real Betis edged closer to a place in the Conference League final with a spirited 2–1 win over Fiorentina in a lively semi-final first leg on Thursday, sparked by goals from Abdessamad Ezzalzouli and Antony.
Betis went ahead after six minutes as Cedric Bakambu teed up Ezzalzouli from the byline, who blasted a shot off the underside of the bar and ran away celebrating before seeing the ball bouncing down and back up and out of the area.
Referee Michael Oliver initially waved play on, but a brief VAR check confirmed the ball had crossed the line and the goal stood.
The visitors were helpless in the 64th minute as Antony pounced on a blocked rebound and fired a half-volley from outside the box into the far corner to double Betis' lead.
Chasing a third straight Conference League final, Fiorentina hit back on 73 minutes when Luca Ranieri slammed home a pull-back in the box to reduce the deficit.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Straits Times
Fiorentina terminate contract of manager Palladino weeks after extending his deal
Raffaele Palladino has left his role as Fiorentina manager after the Serie A club said on Friday that they had terminated his contract by mutual consent, just three weeks after he had signed an extension. "Fiorentina can confirm that Raffaele Palladino's contract, as well as those of his backroom team, has today been terminated by mutual consent," the club said in a statement. Former Monza coach Palladino was appointed last June on a two-year deal with an option of an extra year. Fiorentina announced the extension until 2027 on May 7, the eve of the club's Conference League semi-final second leg with Real Betis. Fiorentina were knocked out of the competition by the Spanish club, having reached the last two Conference League finals, and then lost to Venezia in their next league game to leave them ninth in the Serie A standings. Two wins in their final two matches earned Fiorentina a sixth-place finish, qualifying for the Conference League, but despite leading Fiorentina to their best league position since 2016, Palladino's style has failed to win over the fans. Without a trophy since 2001 and after losing three finals in the previous two campaigns, Fiorentina supporters are losing patience with owner Rocco Commisso who bought the club in 2019. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
CNA
2 days ago
- CNA
Fiorentina terminate contract of manager Palladino weeks after extending his deal
Raffaele Palladino has left his role as Fiorentina manager after the Serie A club said on Friday that they had terminated his contract by mutual consent, just three weeks after he had signed an extension. "Fiorentina can confirm that Raffaele Palladino's contract, as well as those of his backroom team, has today been terminated by mutual consent," the club said in a statement. Former Monza coach Palladino was appointed last June on a two-year deal with an option of an extra year. Fiorentina announced the extension until 2027 on May 7, the eve of the club's Conference League semi-final second leg with Real Betis. Fiorentina were knocked out of the competition by the Spanish club, having reached the last two Conference League finals, and then lost to Venezia in their next league game to leave them ninth in the Serie A standings. Two wins in their final two matches earned Fiorentina a sixth-place finish, qualifying for the Conference League, but despite leading Fiorentina to their best league position since 2016, Palladino's style has failed to win over the fans. Without a trophy since 2001 and after losing three finals in the previous two campaigns, Fiorentina supporters are losing patience with owner Rocco Commisso who bought the club in 2019.
Straits Times
4 days ago
- Straits Times
Chelsea fans toast Conference League trophy but look forward to bigger challenges
Soccer Football - Conference League - Final - Real Betis v Chelsea - Wroclaw Stadium, Wroclaw, Poland - May 28, 2025 Chelsea's Moises Caicedo celebrates scoring their fourth goal with Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez and Chelsea's Jadon Sancho REUTERS/Kacper Pempel Soccer Football - Conference League - Final - Real Betis v Chelsea - Wroclaw Stadium, Wroclaw, Poland - May 28, 2025 Chelsea's Reece James lifts the trophy with teammates after winning the Conference League REUTERS/Kacper Pempel WROCLAW, Poland - Chelsea fans toasted Wednesday's Conference League triumph with varying views on the trophy's prestige, but all were united on at least one front, that the future looks bright for the London club. After going a goal down, Chelsea quickly asserted themselves and left little doubt by the final whistle that they were the better side, closing the match in Wroclaw with a commanding 4-1 victory over Spanish side Real Betis. Chelsea are now the first English side to win all four major European trophies, having twice claimed both the UEFA Champions League and the Europa League as well as the now defunct Cup Winners' Cup. They have also won two UEFA Super Cups. "A trophy always feels good," said lifelong Chelsea fan Martin as he was celebrating in the old town of the Polish city. "Of course it is a real trophy. We haven't had the best season, but we completed the set, we won everything in Europe there is to win," said another supporter, James. Still, there were murmurs among the fans about the tournament's lack of prestige and competitiveness. "During the whole tournament, I did not feel like it was a competition. It was obvious Chelsea was going to win," Chelsea fan Marip said. "Hopefully next year we will get some stronger teams to play against." "Not really a big thing. We usually win a major trophy," said a 10-year-old Chelsea supporter from London. Though there were differing views, all agreed that the club is on an upward trajectory. "I hope we get more interesting players in the transfer window, but we are in good shape for what comes," Marip added. "We have come in the top four in the Premier League and are ready for Champions League. It's all good," James said. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
