Cucho Hernández double sends Real Betis to 3-0 win, pushes Oviedo closer to relegation

Key facts

• Cucho Hernández scored twice (22nd, 58th minute) for Real Betis.
• Abde Ezzalzouli scored Betis's second goal just before halftime.
• Manuel Pellegrini became the third manager in LaLiga history to record victories against 40 different teams.
• Real Betis moved six points clear of sixth-place Celta Vigo with the win.
• Real Oviedo remains bottom of LaLiga, seven points from safety with four games left.
• Attendance at Estadio de La Cartuja was 57,578.
• Betis has not lost at home in the league since December.

Lede: Betis dominates, Oviedo's survival hopes fade

Cucho Hernández’s double helped Real Betis push Real Oviedo closer to relegation with a 3-0 win at Estadio de La Cartuja, as Manuel Pellegrini became only the third manager in LaLiga history to record victories against 40 different teams in the competition. Oviedo began the day eight points adrift of safety and started with urgency, forcing Betis goalkeeper Álvaro Valles into a sprawling stop within 15 seconds of kick-off. Valles was called into action again shortly after, saving Alberto Reina’s shot on the turn, before Santiago Colombatto whipped a free-kick just wide of the near post. But Oviedo’s good work was undone midway through the half when Pablo Fornals’ deflected cross fell kindly for Hernández, and Betis’s top goalscorer in LaLiga tucked home from 15 yards.

First-half drama: Fornals, Amrabat, and a contentious penalty call

Oviedo failed to capitalise on good positions as they hunted an equaliser, and Betis would have increased their lead were it not for Ilyas Chaira’s goal-saving sliding interception to deny Abde Ezzalzouli a tap-in at the far post. The visitors then felt they should have had a penalty when Sofyan Amrabat caught Thiago Fernández with his studs as he slid in on the byline. Their frustrations only grew when Antony crossed for Ezzalzouli to poke home and double Los Verdiblancos’ advantage on the stroke of half time.

Second half: VAR denies Oviedo, Hernández seals win

Oviedo were on the wrong end of another marginal decision eight minutes after the break when Federico Viñas thought he had halved the deficit with a header, only for VAR to show he was centimetres offside. Oviedo brought 41-year-old Santi Cazorla off the bench as they looked to fight back, but before he could make an impact, Betis added a third goal. A counter-attack ended with Hernández flicking Ezzalzouli’s cross in off the post for his 10th LaLiga goal of the season. Viñas twice headed off target before Valles saved Reina’s shot with his legs, but Betis saw out a comfortable victory to extend their unbeaten head-to-head run to 14 games (W7, D7).

Pellegrini's milestone and Betis's European push

Pellegrini’s side have not lost at home in the league since December, and they are now six points clear of sixth-place Celta Vigo, which could prove crucial if Spain is awarded a fifth UEFA Champions League qualifying spot. Betis are in pole position to finish fifth in Spain's top flight this season and secure Europa League qualification for the 2026-27 campaign. They disappointingly fell short in the Europa League this term, losing to Braga in the quarter-finals, but their response has been strong, beating Girona and then drawing with Real Madrid to make it four points from their last two matches.

Oviedo's relegation battle: too little, too late

Oviedo deserve praise for their recent revival, winning three of their last six league matches to give themselves a chance of moving out of the relegation zone. However, it appears they have ultimately given themselves too much to do, with other teams around them also picking up points. The gap to 17th-placed Mallorca is now seven points with only five games left to play. Guillermo Almada’s side entered this match off the back of a 2-1 home defeat to Elche, but they did win their last away match, beating Celta Vigo 3-0 on April 12. The Blues can take heart from their performances and results in recent weeks, but their issues in the first half of the season are expected to lead to relegation back to the Segunda Division.

What's next: Betis eyes Europe, Oviedo faces must-win run

A win here could have acted as a late springboard for Oviedo, but instead they face their final four matches of the campaign against Getafe, Real Madrid, Alaves and Mallorca needing near-perfect results. Betis, meanwhile, will look to consolidate their fifth-place position and potentially push for a Champions League spot if Spain earns an extra berth. Pellegrini’s side have shown resilience after European disappointment, and with Hernández in form, they pose a threat to any opponent. The match at Estadio de la Cartuja drew an attendance of 57,578, underscoring the high stakes for both clubs in the closing weeks of the season.

The bottom line

• Cucho Hernández scored twice to reach 10 LaLiga goals this season, leading Betis to a 3-0 win.
• Manuel Pellegrini became the third manager in LaLiga history to beat 40 different teams.
• Real Betis moved six points clear of sixth-place Celta Vigo, strengthening their Europa League qualification bid.
• Real Oviedo remains bottom, seven points from safety with four matches left, likely facing relegation.
• VAR disallowed a potential Oviedo goal for offside, and a penalty claim was denied, adding to their frustrations.
• Betis has not lost at home since December and is unbeaten against Oviedo in 14 games.