Real Betis marked their return to the UEFA Champions League after an 11-year absence in impressive fashion, coming from behind to defeat Lille 3-2 in their opening league-phase fixture on Tuesday.
Lille made a bright start at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy and took the lead in the 12th minute.
Ethan Mbappé delivered a dangerous cross towards the far post, where Ayase Ueda rose to head the ball beyond the Betis defence.
Betis responded strongly and restored parity shortly after the half-hour mark.
Pablo Fornals produced an excellent cross from deep, allowing Marc Bartra to meet it and head past the Lille goalkeeper.
The hosts quickly regained the advantage, however, as Alexsandro Ribeiro powered a header into the net from Gaetan Perrin’s corner.
Betis refused to surrender and continued to threaten after the restart. Bartra scored his second of the night when he converted Isco’s delivery from close range to make it 2-2.
The Spanish side completed the turnaround in the 53rd minute.
Troy Parrott, who had also been decisive in Betis’ victory over Real Madrid four days earlier, raced past his marker before firing a low shot into the far corner.
Lille’s hopes of recovering suffered another major blow moments later when Ethan Mbappé was sent off.
The referee initially reviewed the incident on the VAR monitor before showing Mbappé a straight red card for an off-the-ball elbow, leaving Lille with 10 men.
Betis controlled much of the remainder of the contest and came close to extending their lead, with Marc Roca and Rodrigo Riquelme both threatening.
Lille pushed for an equaliser late on, but Betis held firm, including a crucial block to deny Olivier Giroud.
The defeat was Lille’s third consecutive home loss in European competition, while Betis secured their first winning opening match in a European group or league phase since 2022.
Bartra was named Player of the Match after his two-goal performance as Betis began their Champions League campaign with a memorable comeback victory.
