Real Betis beat Malaga 2-1 at La Cartuja with first-half goals
Real Betis beat Malaga 2-1 at the Estadio de la Cartuja in LaLiga Matchday 11. The hosts settled the contest before the interval through goals from Marc Bartra and Pablo Fornals. Adrian Nino pulled one back in the 68th minute, but Malaga could not find an equaliser.
Bartra opened the scoring in the 38th minute, set up by Isco. Fornals doubled the advantage in first-half stoppage time, in the 45+2 minute, and Betis led 2-0 at the break.
Nino reduced the deficit in the 68th minute after the restart. Malaga drew closer on the scoreboard, but Betis held on to their lead until the end. Referee Mateo Busquets Ferrer oversaw a game with no red cards and two yellows for each side.
The numbers underline the hosts' control: 23 shots to 10, six on target to four, 10 corners to three and 59% of possession. The xG was tighter, at 1.45 for Betis and 1.21 for Malaga. The visitors committed 15 fouls to the hosts' 10.
Goals
- 38' Marc Bartra Real Betis
- 45+2' Pablo Fornals Real Betis
- 68' Adrian Nino Málaga
Match stats
Our prediction
Our preview pointed to a 2-0 Betis win, with a 66% chance of a home victory. Betis won, but Nino's goal in the 68th minute changed the scoreline we anticipated.
Betis came into the match fourth with 20 points and add three more. Malaga, 20th with 5 points, leave without adding to their total.
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