Cucho Hernández double sinks Oviedo as Pellegrini joins 40-victory club

Key facts

• Cucho Hernández scored twice (22', 58') to lead Real Betis to a 3-0 win.
• Manuel Pellegrini became the third manager in LaLiga history to beat 40 different teams.
• Real Oviedo remain bottom with 28 points, seven from safety with four matches left.
• Abde Ezzalzouli scored Betis's second goal just before half-time.
• Federico Viñas had a goal ruled out by VAR for offside in the 53rd minute.
• Attendance at Estadio de La Cartuja was 57,578.

Clinical Betis punish Oviedo's early promise

Cucho Hernández struck twice as Real Betis defeated Real Oviedo 3-0 at the Estadio de La Cartuja, pushing the visitors closer to an immediate return to the Segunda División. The result also saw Manuel Pellegrini become only the third manager in LaLiga history to record victories against 40 different teams in the competition. Oviedo began the match eight points adrift of safety and started with urgency. Ilyas Chaira forced Betis goalkeeper Álvaro Valles into a sprawling save within 15 seconds of kick-off. Valles was called into action again shortly after, denying Alberto Reina's shot on the turn, while Santiago Colombatto curled a free-kick just wide of the near post.

Hernández opens the scoring after Fornals cross

Oviedo's bright start was undone midway through the first half. Pablo Fornals' deflected cross fell kindly for Hernández, and Betis's top LaLiga goalscorer tucked the ball home from 15 yards. Oviedo failed to capitalise on good positions as they searched for an equaliser, and Betis nearly doubled their lead when Chaira made a goal-saving sliding interception to deny Abde Ezzalzouli a tap-in at the far post. The visitors then felt they should have been awarded a penalty when Sofyan Amrabat caught Thiago Fernández with his studs while sliding in on the byline. Their frustrations grew when Antony crossed for Ezzalzouli to poke home and double Betis's advantage on the stroke of half-time.

VAR disallows Viñas header, Cazorla introduced

Eight minutes after the break, Oviedo thought they had halved the deficit when Federico Viñas headed in, but VAR showed he was centimetres offside. Oviedo manager Guillermo Almada brought on 41-year-old Santi Cazorla from the bench to inspire a comeback, but before Cazorla 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, and Valles saved Reina's shot with his legs, but Betis comfortably saw out the victory.

Betis extend unbeaten run, close in on Europe

The win extended Betis's unbeaten head-to-head run against Oviedo to 14 games (seven wins, seven draws). Pellegrini's side have not lost at home in the league since December, and they are now six points clear of sixth-placed Celta Vigo. That gap could prove crucial if Spain is awarded a fifth UEFA Champions League qualifying spot. Betis currently sit fifth in La Liga with 53 points, a position that would secure Europa League qualification for the 2026-27 campaign. Their recent form includes a win over Girona and a draw with Real Madrid, following a disappointing Europa League quarter-final exit to Braga.

Oviedo's relegation fears deepen with four games left

Oviedo remain bottom of the table with 28 points, seven points from 17th-placed Mallorca and safety. With only four matches remaining, the Blues appear destined for an immediate return to the second tier. Their remaining fixtures include matches against Getafe, Real Madrid, Alavés, and Mallorca. Despite a recent revival that saw them win three of six league matches, including a 3-0 away victory at Celta Vigo on April 12, Oviedo have ultimately given themselves too much to do. Their 2-1 home defeat to Elche before this match underlined the difficulty of their situation.

Pellegrini joins elite company in LaLiga history

By defeating Oviedo, Manuel Pellegrini became the third manager in LaLiga history to beat 40 different teams in the competition. The Chilean tactician, who has previously coached Villarreal, Real Madrid, Málaga, and now Betis, joins an exclusive club that underscores his longevity and adaptability in Spanish football. Pellegrini's achievement reflects Betis's consistent competitiveness under his leadership. The club's unbeaten home run since December and their push for European qualification demonstrate the solid foundation he has built in Seville.

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 defeat 40 different teams.
• Real Oviedo remain bottom with 28 points, seven from safety, with four games left.
• Betis moved six points clear of Celta Vigo in the race for a potential Champions League spot.
• VAR disallowed a Federico Viñas goal for offside, a key moment in the match.
• Oviedo have not beaten Betis in any competition since January 1993.