Real Betis will contest their first-ever European final after a pulsating UEFA Europa Conference League semi-final second leg saw them edge past Fiorentina 2-2 on the night and 4-3 on aggregate after extra time in Florence.
A match high in drama and intensity was ultimately decided by a composed finish from Abde Ezzalzouli deep into extra time, after Antony had earlier opened the scoring with a spectacular free-kick in a tempestuous affair at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.
It was Fiorentina who threatened first, with Pietro Comuzzo forcing a desperate goal-line clearance after rising to meet a corner. Betis responded in style, as Antony stepped up to curl a ferocious free-kick past David de Gea via the inside of the post – his third goal in as many matches.
Fiorentina refused to buckle under the early setback. Just four minutes later, Robin Gosens met a Rolando Mandragora corner with a deft glancing header that found the far corner to level the scores. The German wing-back would prove a constant threat at set-pieces, and he struck again before the break, repeating the trick from another corner — this time delivered by Yacine Adli — to give La Viola the lead on the night and the aggregate advantage.
Moise Kean should have made it three before half-time but spurned a golden chance with a free header from close range, and that let-off proved vital for Betis as they reorganised after the break.
The second half unfolded with tension and physicality dominating proceedings. A fiery one-on-one battle between Luca Ranieri and Antony set the tone, as tempers flared and the referee was forced to brandish five yellow cards in just ten minutes during a heated spell. Despite that, the hosts remained marginally in control, with Gosens again coming closest to a decisive third goal.
David de Gea was called into action late on, making a crucial double save to keep Fiorentina in the tie. But with the match extending into extra time, it was Betis boss Manuel Pellegrini who seized the moment with a bold tactical shift.
Substitute full-back Aitor Ruibal was deployed in an unfamiliar central attacking role — and it proved inspired. Within seven minutes, he brought down a lofted pass, slipped the ball neatly through for Antony, and the Brazilian unselfishly squared it for Ezzalzouli to tuck away the winner.
That proved to be the killer blow, as Betis stood firm through a tense final half-hour to seal a place in the Wrocław final later this month, where they will face Chelsea.
It was a historic night for the Andalusians, who now have a chance to crown their European breakthrough with silverware.
