Wednesday, February 9, 2022 at 11:31 PM• Mart van Mourik • Last update: 23:35

Real Betis have taken a big step towards the final of the Copa del Rey. On Wednesday evening, the Andalusians were too strong to visit Rayo Vallecano with 1-2. Commentator Sierd de Vos particularly went for the winning goal of los Beticos over the moon as William Carvalho gracefully gated defender Alejandro Catena before finishing. The return of the semi-finals will take place on March 3 at the Benito Villamarín.

A stunt seemed in the making when Rayo Vallecano took the lead in the fifth minute. After a long rush down the right wing, Iván Balliu delivered a tailor-made cross to Álvaro García, who came well in front of his direct opponent and nodded in from close range: 1-0. Halfway through the first act, Betis put things in order. About 25 meters from the enemy goal, Borja Iglesias was passed by Nabil Fekir. The striker squeezed through between two defenders and successfully scored from a distance: 1-1.

GOLAZO?? Carvalho shoots the 2-1 against the ropes on behalf of Betis ?? Will Betis hold onto this lead?#ZiggoSport #CopaDelRey #VallecanoBetis pic.twitter.com/sBsN2JFQdP

— Ziggo Sport Football (@ZS_Voetbal) Feb 9, 2022

The winning and most beautiful goal of the evening came midway through the second half. Cristian Tello gave a wide pass to the Carvalho who had come along. The midfielder played Catena through the legs and then finished face to face with goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski in a cool way: 1-2. De Vos was impressed by the goal, although in his eyes Catena could have done more to prevent a goal. “What a brilliant goal! golazo by William Carvalho! A giant in midfield, but now in the striker. But that central defender… Four balls could have gone through that. Before he gives the command with his brain to close his legs, then we are thirty seconds further.”