Real Betis, coached by Manuel Pellegrini, came back from 0-1 down to win 2-1 against Elche in the Copa del Rey round of 16, advancing to the quarterfinals. Ezequiel 'Chimy' Ávila scored a crucial brace at Estadio La Cartuja in Seville. This marks the Chilean manager's first win of 2026.
Real Betis under Manuel Pellegrini secured their first win of 2026 by coming back from 0-1 down against Elche in the Copa del Rey round of 16, played at Estadio La Cartuja in Seville. The green-and-whites, coming off a 5-1 thrashing by Real Madrid and a 1-1 draw with bottom-placed Oviedo in LaLiga, made eight changes to their starting lineup. Only Aitor Ruibal, Antony, and Giovani Lo Celso retained spots, with Ruibal shifting from left winger to right back.
Absences weighed on Betis, particularly Cucho Hernández's month-long injury, though they welcomed back Cédric Bakambu after the Africa Cup of Nations. For Elche, former Universidad Católica goalkeeper Matías Dituro started and showed composure with his feet in the first half.
The first half was lackluster with few chances and low tempo. At the 25th minute, Ruibal's shot went wide, and before halftime, Dituro saved a free kick from Lo Celso. In the second half, Betis started sluggishly, drawing jeers from the crowd. Pellegrini responded with three quick substitutions: Pablo García, Fornals, and Chimy Ávila came on.
Yet, three minutes later, at the 60th minute, Léo Pétrot scored for Elche with a shot from a corner. Betis equalized soon after: Ávila, assisted by Fornals following a link-up with Antony, beat Dituro at the 67th. Ten minutes later, at the 80th, Ruibal laid off for Ávila to score the 2-1 winner, clinching advancement.
This win keeps Betis in three competitions: LaLiga, Copa del Rey, and Europa League. In the round, Real Madrid was knocked out 3-2 by second-division Albacete, amid a crisis following Xabi Alonso's dismissal.
