Real Betis began the 2026-27 La Liga season the way Manuel Pellegrini would have drawn it up: grinding out a 1-0 win over Real Sociedad at the Estadio de la Cartuja on Friday, despite spending long stretches of the second half under siege.
The breakthrough came on 63 minutes. Cucho Hernández, played in down the right in a move started by Antony, drilled a low cross into the box, and Rodrigo Riquelme arrived to finish first time from close range, giving Betis a lead they would not relinquish.
The first half had been largely a stalemate, with Betis controlling territory but Real Sociedad's defence holding firm without conceding a clear chance. Álex Remiro was rarely troubled before the break.
That changed once Betis went ahead. La Real threw men forward in search of an equaliser, and by full time had actually out-created the hosts on expected goals, 1.58 to 1.06, according to Sofascore's data.
Remiro kept his side in it at the other end too, pushing away a stinging effort from Isco among several second-half saves. But it was Betis goalkeeper Álvaro Vallés who had the last word, producing what Flashscore described as a sensational late stop to deny Orri Oskarsson and secure the points.
Pablo Fornals was named man of the match for his work shielding Betis's back line as the visitors poured forward in the closing stages.
The result extends an already lopsided recent history between the sides — Betis have lost only twice in their last 14 meetings with Real Sociedad — and leaves the Basque club still without an away win in their last seven La Liga trips.
For Pellegrini, now well into his sixth season at the helm, it is exactly the kind of opening-day result that sets a tone: unconvincing for large periods, but built on game management and goalkeeping when it mattered most.
