Real Betis missed the chance to make history with a third straight derby triumph, as a determined Sevilla FC battled back from two goals down to earn a dramatic 2-2 draw in El Gran Derbi.
Just 24 hours after more than 20,000 supporters turned out for Betis’ first open training session at Estadio La Cartuja, the temporary home of the Verdiblancos was once again packed with fans craving local bragging rights.
The hosts ignited the atmosphere inside 16 minutes through Antony, who produced a moment worthy of derby folklore.
The move began with Ez Abde’s purposeful surge to the byline, where he teed up Cucho Hernández for a close-range effort.
Though the initial shot was blocked, Antony reacted quickest, acrobatically rifling home a stunning overhead kick from the rebound for his seventh league goal of the campaign.
Betis maintained their momentum and struck again just before the interval. Abde was central once more, threading a perfectly weighted pass into the path of Álvaro Fidalgo, who cleverly flicked the ball in with the outside of his boot to register his first goal since joining from Club América in January.
For the first time this century, Sevilla found themselves two goals behind at half-time in a league derby, but they refused to fold.
The visitors emerged with renewed intensity after the break and reduced the deficit shortly after the hour.
Alexis Sánchez timed his run superbly to meet a whipped cross, sending a diving header beyond Álvaro Valles to spark belief among the travelling supporters.
That belief was rewarded five minutes from time. Betis failed to deal with a set-piece situation, and Isaac Romero pounced on a loose ball to drill a low finish into the bottom corner, sealing a remarkable comeback and his first league goal since October.
Betis were left shaken, and Akor Adams nearly snatched a late winner, only to see his effort dramatically cleared off the line.
The draw lifts Sevilla to 11th in the table, while Manuel Pellegrini’s men stay fifth, now eight points off the top four after letting a commanding lead slip on derby day.
