Real Betis reached their first-ever European final in stunning fashion, edging past ACF Fiorentina in a 2-2 draw after extra time, thanks to Abde Ezzalzouli’s decisive goal in the UEFA Conference League semi-final second leg at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.
The match began with little fluidity, but it was the home side who first sparked danger, as Pietro Comuzzo’s headed effort from a corner forced a desperate clearance off the line.
That warning shot foreshadowed Betis’ vulnerability from set-pieces, but despite their struggles at the back, the visitors took the lead with a moment of brilliance.
Antony, hunting a third consecutive goal, unleashed a sensational free-kick that rocketed past David de Gea, clipped the inside of the post, and nestled into the net.
Fiorentina, however, weren’t rattled by Antony’s spectacular opener and struck back just four minutes later.
Robin Gosens timed his run perfectly to meet Rolando Mandragora’s driven corner, glancing a header into the bottom corner to restore parity.
Betis almost regained the lead when Johnny Cardoso’s strike crashed against the bar, but it was the hosts who grew in dominance.
History repeated itself when Gosens again peeled away from goal to meet Yacine Adli’s corner with another powerful header that flew past Fran Vieites.
Just before the break, Betis breathed a sigh of relief as Moise Kean missed a clear header from close range. After the interval, the visitors found more composure, and the second half turned into a heated contest, especially between Fiorentina captain Luca Ranieri and Antony.
Their duel often veered into confrontation, adding tension to a match already full of it.
Ill-tempered and scrappy, the second half saw five yellow cards handed out in just 10 minutes, with Gosens nearly completing his hat-trick for Fiorentina and de Gea coming to their rescue with a crucial double save.
With the deadlock unbroken in regulation time, Betis manager Manuel Pellegrini made a bold move in extra time, introducing full-back Aitor Ruibal as a makeshift striker. The decision paid off almost instantly.
Ruibal brought down a long ball expertly, then threaded a precise pass to Antony, who unselfishly squared it to Ezzalzouli.
The Moroccan coolly finished, sealing the goal that would send Betis to the UECL final in Wrocław, where they will face Chelsea later this month.
