Real Betis and Valencia End Season with 1-1 Draw

Real Betis and Valencia concluded the LaLiga season with a 1-1 draw. Antony's early goal was canceled out by Rafa Mir's strike, as both teams ended their season with a point.

Real Betis and Valencia concluded the LaLiga season with a 1-1 draw at the Estadio Benito Villamarin. Despite taking the lead, Betis failed to secure a win, marking the seventh time this season they've failed to do so after scoring first in a home game.

With their sixth-place finish already secured, Betis were aiming to build momentum ahead of their UEFA Conference League final against Chelsea next week. However, they'll head into the match against Chelsea without some key players, as manager Manuel Pellegrini plans to rest stars like Antony and Isco. Meanwhile, Valencia ended their season in 12th place, with manager Carlos Corberan having done a commendable job guiding them to safety after taking over in 2025.

FT: #RealBetisValencia 1-1 @RealBetis_en and @valenciacf_en finish their season with a fair draw. 🤝 #LALIGAEASPORTS | #DesenlaceLALIGA pic.twitter.com/ZnqDb8J61h

— LALIGA English (@LaLigaEN) May 23, 2025

Manuel Pellegrini's Real Betis dominated the early stages, but struggled to create clear-cut chances. It wasn't until the 25th minute that they had their first shots on target, with Isco's efforts being denied twice in quick succession. However, Betis persisted and eventually broke through just before halftime. Antony scored a stunning goal, receiving the ball from Isco in the penalty area and calmly bending a left-footed shot into the far corner, ending a three-game scoreless drought and giving his side the lead.

The match between Real Betis and Valencia had a subdued tone, characteristic of end-of-season games where stakes are low. However, Valencia still had a glimmer of hope to secure a top-half finish. A spectacular save by goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili kept their aspirations alive. He made an incredible leaping stop to his right, denying Abde Ezzalzouli's shot that was headed for the top corner.

This crucial save proved pivotal 15 minutes before the final whistle when Rafa Mir capitalized on Andre Almeida's pass, scoring his first LaLiga goal for the club with a precise first-time strike into the bottom corner. Despite the excitement, the match ultimately ended 1-1, with Antony scoring for Real Betis earlier in the game. The draw secured Real Betis's sixth-place finish in the LaLiga standings, while Valencia ended the season in 12th place.

Valencia, fueled by the momentum of the equalizer, pushed hard for a winner in the closing stages but ultimately had to settle for a 1-1 draw. This result extended Valencia's winless run to three matches. For the visitors, it marked a seventh successive visit to Betis without a win. The hosts, meanwhile, will now turn their focus to next week's UEFA Conference League final against Chelsea.