Real Betis Dominate First Leg, Set the Pace for UEFA Conference League Clash
If you blinked during the first half at Estadio Benito Villamarín, you might’ve missed the key moments that are now shaping this quarterfinal. Real Betis made a big statement with their 2-0 win over Jagiellonia Bialystok, putting themselves firmly in the driver’s seat for a place in the semifinals of the UEFA Conference League.
Cédric Bakambu gave Betis the perfect start. He finished a precise attacking move, making it look all too simple and instantly forcing the Polish visitors into damage-control mode. Not long afterwards, Jesús Rodríguez doubled the lead. His goal capped off a dominant Betis spell—one that saw the Spanish side camped out in their opponent’s half and dictating every aspect of play.
At times, Betis looked like they were practicing a training drill. They finished with 65% possession, moving the ball crisply and carefully, frustrating Jagiellonia every time they tried to fight their way forward. Eight shots on target—versus just a single effort from the away team—told the real story. Betis didn’t just hold the ball, they knew what to do with it.
Jagiellonia Fight Back but Fall Short in Front of Goal
It would be unfair to say Jagiellonia gave up. Far from it. Their defense threw themselves in front of shots and made life tough for the Betis attackers when they could. But when it came time to threaten at the other end? They just didn’t have an answer. Only four shots all night, and just one tested the Betis keeper. It was a rough introduction to the sharp end of European knockout football for the Polish side.
It didn’t help that Jagiellonia were missing key defender Adrian Diéguez, forcing an untested lineup to face one of Spain’s most technical attacking sides. Betis, without forward Chimy Ávila due to injury, didn’t seem to miss a beat. Their depth—what every club wishes for during a tight European run—was on full display. Players swapped in and out, but the pressure never let up.
This win carried extra meaning for Betis. They’d previously come up empty against Polish opponents, their last effort a disappointing defeat to Legia Warsaw. Now, they finally have their first European victory against a team from Poland—an achievement that seemed to make the home fans even louder as the night wore on.
The buildup to this match had both teams heading in opposite directions. Betis arrived with a recent unbeaten stretch in the Conference League, bouncing back quickly from any slip-ups in domestic action. Jagiellonia, meanwhile, managed to scrape a confidence-boosting win over Legia Warsaw in their own league, but the step up to this stage showed just how much work remains.
Going into the second leg, the focus is clear. Betis have the cushion, not just in goals, but in performance and squad strength. Still, knockout football is notorious for springing surprises, especially when underdogs feel like they have nothing left to lose. For Jagiellonia to pull this back, they’ll need a level of attacking intent that was missing in Seville—and probably a little European magic as well. Betis, on the other hand, just need to keep doing what they do best: control the ball, keep it tight at the back, and finish their chances.
