Real Betis beat Porto to return to the Champions after 21 years

Real Betis got the job done vs FC Porto in the Champions League: a 3-2 win sealed their return 21 years later. The match swung early under Betis pressure, with Abde forcing a save from Diogo Costa within two minutes and Marc Roca striking the outside of the net.

A VAR call that changed it

The turning point came in the 40’. The referee initially allowed a Porto goal, but VAR ruled it out for a previous handball by Borja Sainz after a Portuguese overhead effort that clipped Marc Bartra. Before that, André Silva had already hit the woodwork in the 8’.

In the second half, Abde put Betis ahead in the 47’, and Antony had another chance two minutes later, also rattling the post. Porto levelled through Gabri Veiga at 55’, then went 1-2 up when Samu Aghehowa finished off the move in 61’.

The comeback was completed with Cucho Hernández making it 2-2 in 74’, then a VAR-checked penalty at 84’ after Francisco Moura fouled Ángel Ortiz. Isco scored from the spot for the final 3-2. The referee was Clément Turpin.