A goal and assist from Cucho Hernandez ensured that Real Betis registered a dominant 2-0 win over Osasuna at the Estadio de La Cartuja in tonight’s late LaLiga action, condemning Osasuna to seven away games without victory.
A midweek 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest to open their European campaign was Betis’ fourth stalemate in all competitions already this season, and when two wayward Antony efforts was all either side could produce in the first 15 minutes, another tight game looked likely.
But that all changed 19 minutes in, when Pablo Fornals won the ball in the Osasuna penalty area and his pull back was helped on by Hernandez to Abde Ezzalzouli, who steered the ball into the empty net with goalkeeper Sergio Herrera committed.
Los Verdiblancos stayed on top as the half wore on – Hernandez stung Herrera’s gloves with a dipping effort from 25 yards, before the visitors again gave the ball away in their own half. That resulted in a shot on goal for Ezzalzouli, but this time Herrera was well-placed to save with his foot at his near post.
But the deserved second goal arrived seven minutes before half-time, and again it came via Fornals winning possession. He intercepted a pass and found Hernandez at the edge of the box, and his low strike was too powerful for the diving Herrera.
A looping Budimir header dropping wide late on was the extent of Osasuna’s first-half chances, and with Los Rojillos having conceded after the break in all of their previous eight away matches, the signs were not good for the visitors.
Yet, Herrera at least kept out powerful attempts from Sofyan Amrabat and Antony within 10 minutes of the restart, as Betis once more turned the screw – efforts that came after the Pamplona side’s best chance so far, as Victor Munoz danced into the box and finally forced Pau Lopez into a save.
Both teams made changes in an attempt to spark life into the second half, but Betis rarely looked like adding to their lead, while an off-target shot from Budimir with 15 minutes to go was all Alessio Lisci’s side could create.
It’s three without a win now for Osasuna as their slow start continues, while Betis remain unbeaten in this fixture for five-straight seasons, after winning back-to-back home games in LaLiga for the first time since March.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Pablo Fornals (Real Betis)