Real Betis got their La Liga campaign moving with a hard-earned 1-0 win over Real Sociedad on Friday night at the Estadio de La Cartuja in Seville, a tight and even contest settled by a single moment of quality just after the hour mark.
Rodrigo Riquelme provided that moment in the 63rd minute, meeting a driven cross from Cucho Hernández at the back post with a first-time volley that gave the goalkeeper no chance. It was the only goal of a game in which chances were otherwise scarce.
Manuel Pellegrini's side controlled long stretches of the match without ever fully cutting Real Sociedad loose, and the visitors, last season's Copa del Rey winners, grew into the game as it wore on and pushed hard for an equaliser in the closing stages.
Betis goalkeeper Álvaro Valles was the man standing between Real Sociedad and a share of the points, producing a string of important saves in the final quarter of an hour to preserve his side's clean sheet and see out the win.
The result gives Pellegrini's side a perfect start to the league phase of the new season and three points on the board from their opening fixture, a welcome return after finishing sixth in La Liga last term.
For Imanol Alguacil's Real Sociedad, arriving in Seville on the back of their Copa del Rey triumph, it was a frustrating opening test on the road, with the visitors unable to find a way past Valles despite their late pressure.
Both sides now turn to their next league assignments as the 2026-27 season builds momentum, with Betis's home win in Seville an early marker of the ambition Pellegrini has spoken of for the campaign ahead.
