MADRID (AP) — VAR took more than four minutes to rule out a Yeremi Pino goal as Villarreal salvaged a 1-1 draw with Real Betis on Sunday in a duel between the two Spanish league clubs. for European positions.
Pino sent Ramón Terrats’ cross into the net with a shot inside the box after 55 minutes. In the first instance, the action was canceled due to an alleged advanced position, but from the video referee room, it was confirmed that the goal was valid.
Borja Iglesias opened the scoring for visiting Betis after pushing the ball into the open frame after goalkeeper Pepe Reina failed to control a half-high shot on 38 minutes.
In the final stretch, José Luis Morales was denied a goal for Villarreal due to an advanced position.
Betis, led by Chilean coach Manuel Pellegrini, remain in fifth position with 42 units, three under Real Sociedad (fourth) and also at this distance from Atlético de Madrid (third), who visit Girona on Monday.
The béticos are far from the Barcelona leader (62 points), who then visited Athletic Bilbao for the 25th day. Real Madrid (56) are the shooters after beating Espanyol 3-1 on Saturday.
The Yellow Submarine saw a two-game winning streak in the league snapped and is sixth with 38 points.
SEVILLE TAKES A BREATH
With a goal from Argentinian Erik Lamela, Sevilla overcame their second-minute deficit to beat Almería 2-1 at home, a victory with which they escaped the relegation zone.
Sergio Akieme opened the visitors’ account in the dangerous first move, but Argentina coach Jorge Sampaoli’s side reaction came in the throw-in before the break with a penalty converted by Argentine Lucas Ocampos. Lamela billed the winning goal at 73.
Sevilla have 28 units to be in 13th position.
Meanwhile, Almería suffered their second setback after beating Barcelona and are second to last with 25 points.
In another result, Mallorca led by Mexican manager Javier Aguirre saved in a 1-1 draw with Real Sociedad thanks to a 50th-minute goal from Kang-In Lee. Carlos Fernández had put the San Sebastian side ahead after three minutes.
Mallorca are tenth with 32 units.