LaLiga: Guermiti Valera's Goal Secures Point for Elche Against Real Betis

Real Betis vs Elche ends in 1-1 draw in LaLiga match

Elche and Real Betis played out a 1-1 draw in their LaLiga opener, with Germán Valera's goal canceling out Aitor Ruibal's early strike for Betis.

Elche kicked off their LaLiga season with a thrilling 1-1 draw against Real Betis at the Estadio Martínez Valero, marking their return to the top flight after two years in LaLiga 2. The match showcased the team's determination and resilience, as they held their own against last season's UEFA Conference League finalists.

In a remarkable display of team spirit, Elche fans opened the match with a rousing rendition of their club anthem, “Aromas Ilicitanos,” creating an electric atmosphere at the stadium. This energetic start set the tone for the team's impressive performance against a strong Betis side.

It's worth noting that Elche's draw means it's been 52 years since they started a top-flight campaign with a victory. Despite this, the team's fans are likely to be heartened by their team's performance against a strong opponent.

FT: #ElcheRealBetis 1-1

🤝Elche manages to tie their first game back, and Betis leave with an important point. #LALIGAEASPORTS pic.twitter.com/5UgQXiPHXI

— LALIGA English (@LaLigaEN) August 18, 2025

The opening 45 minutes belonged to Betis, who dominated possession and created several promising opportunities. Héctor Bellerín's clever move set up the game's first chance, finding Aitor Ruibal in the box, but Elche goalkeeper Matías Dituro was equal to Ruibal's half-volley attempt.

Betis took the lead midway through the first half when Aitor Ruibal latched onto a well-weighted through ball from Rodrigo Riquelme. Ruibal skillfully rounded Dituro and tapped the ball into the empty net, giving Betis a 1-0 advantage.

The hosts were wilting in the baking heat of the Alicante evening, with their best chance coming shortly before half time.

Sheer willpower saw Eder Sarabia keep the ball alive several times after their initial corner was cleared, with the ball eventually finding its way to Léo Pétrot, who dragged his shot wide to spurn the best opportunity to test Pau López.

Betis continued to dominate possession in the second half, but Elche's defense held firm, and the home side began to grow in confidence. Germán Valera tested Pau López with a long-range shot and later sent a tantalizing cross to the back post, where Álvaro Rodríguez's acrobatic effort sailed over the bar from a tight angle.

As the match wore on, Elche's attacking players started to create opportunities. Cucho Hernández, however, missed a chance to seal the win for Betis when he failed to find the target despite getting into a promising position from the edge of the box.

Germán Valera's persistence paid off when he scored the equalizer for Elche, finishing a well-crafted pass from Martim Neto. This crucial goal rewarded the home side's determination and earned them a valuable point.

The draw sets up an intriguing fixture for both teams in the coming weeks. Elche will face a tough test against Atlético Madrid at the Metropolitano Stadium next Saturday, while Betis will look to bounce back against Deportivo Alavés on Friday.