Betis End 21-Year Champions League Exile with Victory Over Relegation-Threatened Elche

Real Betis clinch Champions League spot with win over 10-man Elche

Real Betis qualified for the Champions League for the first time since 2004 after a 2-1 win over 10-man Elche. Cucho Hernández and Pablo Fornals scored for Betis, while Elche remain in the relegation fight after Leo Petrot’s second-half red card.

Hernandez and Fornals scored in a 2-1 win that sends Betis to Europe and leaves Elche fighting to avoid the drop...

  

Real Betis are heading to the UEFA Champions League for the first time in 21 years after sealing a 2-1 victory over ten-man Elche. The result secured their place among Europe’s top clubs, while Elche remain in the fight to avoid relegation.

Needing three points to lock in a top-five finish, Betis got off to a perfect start. Cucho Hernandez opened the scoring in the 9th minute, curling a superb strike into the bottom corner from outside the box.

Antony had a chance to make it 2-0 but couldn’t convert, while Elche, who started the night just above the drop zone, struggled to create anything of note.

Against the run of play, they leveled four minutes before half-time. Barcelona loanee Hector Fort scored only his second league goal of the season, drilling a clinical finish into the far top corner from inside the area.

The goal shifted momentum to Elche, but Andre Silva and Aleix Febas both missed clear chances to put them ahead. Grady Diangana also had a goal disallowed for handball in the build-up right before the break, in a decision that sparked controversy.

Any hopes of a second for the visitors faded quickly after the restart when Leo Petrot was sent off. The defender saw red for a reckless high challenge that caught Antony’s trailing leg with his studs.

The dismissal gave Manuel Pellegrini’s side the opening to retake control. Hernandez came close with a header that bounced off the bar, and Giovani Lo Celso followed up with a shot that was saved comfortably.

Betis had lost just once in their last nine home meetings with Elche, and with half an hour left, they had time to find a winner.

It only took eight minutes for Betis to go back in front. Pablo Fornals ended a two-month goal drought with a blistering strike from distance that flew into the top corner.

FT: #BetisElche 2-1

Heart, fight, and victory 💚#LALIGAEASPORTS | #DESENLACELALIGA pic.twitter.com/cxoTH7avgQ

— LALIGA English (@LaLigaEN) May 12, 2026

The floodgates looked set to open after that. Abde Ezzalzouli was denied by keeper Matías Dituro following a quick counter, and at the other end Álvaro Rodríguez blazed over before Isco fired wide from just inside the area.

Elche brought on several attacking subs in an attempt to avoid a third straight game without a win, but poor finishing let them down again.

With La Liga’s relegation battle so tight, they could drop into the bottom three before their next match against Getafe on Sunday. Betis, who nearly made it 3-0 through Hernandez in stoppage time, stretched their unbeaten run to seven games.