1 hour Ago
Van Bronckhorst Sticks With His Winning Side
Giovanni van Bronckhorst made no changes to the team that beat Como at De Kuip last week. Two players with Eredivisie pasts started for the hosts: Troy Parrott, who joined Betis from AZ Alkmaar last summer, and Antony, the Brazilian winger who once played for Ajax. Before kickoff, the Feyenoord coach had criticized the pitch at the Estadio de La Cartuja, calling it a "clumpy field" that was "not up to Champions League standards". His complaint seemed fair, as both teams struggled to pass the ball smoothly throughout the night.
A Cagey First Half With Few Chances
Betis created their best opening of the first half after an error from centre-back Mika Marmol. Tjark Ernst was quick to react and stopped Parrott from scoring. Feyenoord's best moment came a few minutes before the break. Captain Luciano Valente played a clever through ball to Javi Lopez, who drove it across the six-yard box. Gijval Zechiel had an open goal in front of him, but the midfielder hit it with far too much power and sent it high over the bar.
Isco Makes No Mistake From the Spot
The decisive moment arrived in the 59th minute. A shot from Moroccan international Abde Ezzalzouli struck the arm of Jeremiah St. Juste, and referee Simone Sozza pointed to the penalty spot. Isco, a five-time Champions League winner, stayed calm and finished it cleanly. With two solid defences leaving the attackers very little room, a penalty always looked like the likeliest way to produce a goal.
The result gave Betis nine points from their first three Champions League games and moved them up to fifth in the league phase. The top eight teams qualify directly for the round of 16, while those finishing ninth to 24th must go through a knockout play-off.
