Deportivo La Coruña 1-1 Real Betis: When Victory Slipped Away in the 87th Minute

Riazor, Saturday night. When the referee blew the final whistle, the scoreboard showed 1-1, but the atmosphere at the stadium did not feel like a draw. Real Betis players sank to the turf, while the Deportivo La Coruña stands erupted as if they had just won. It is no exaggeration to say that Betis dropped two points in the most painful way: leading early, controlling the match, but allowing the opponent to equalize when the game seemed within their grasp. For a team with ambitions to compete at the top of La Liga, this kind of dropped point is not just an accident; it is a wake-up call. Before the match, Real Betis were the clear favourites. They were in a position to rise to second place with a win, and their attack, led by an in-form Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, was firing. Coach Manuel Pellegrini fielded his strongest line-up, aiming to control possession from the first minute. The first half was dominated by Betis. They held nearly 60% of the ball and created three clear chances in the opening fifteen minutes. Aubameyang was the focal point, but Deportivo's defence was disciplined. They sat deep, closed the spaces, and waited for counter-attacks. When Betis scored, it seemed everything would become easier. But that very comfort made them lose focus. Passes slowed down, movement became less sharp, and Deportivo began to grow into the game. Betis's problems started to show in defence. When centre-back Marc Bartra was forced off through injury midway through the half, the disruption was inevitable. Pellegrini had to reshuffle, but no change restored their earlier solidity. Aubameyang, expected to be the tactical anchor, was completely shackled by Deportivo's experienced back line. He had to drop deep to receive the ball, moving away from the box, and the supply to him dried up. Without service, the Gabonese striker almost disappeared in the second half. It was a vicious cycle Betis could not escape. On the other side, Deportivo grew in confidence. They pressed hard from their own half, preventing Betis from building play coherently. The deeper Pellegrini's men retreated, the more dangerous space opened up behind their defence. In the closing minutes, Isco was introduced from the bench to add creativity. His first touch showed his class, but he alone could not change the dynamic. In the 76th minute, goalkeeper Valles made a brilliant save from a fierce shot, seemingly securing the three points. Just eleven minutes later, the unexpected happened. During the match, one controversial incident heated things up: Cucho Hernández's two-footed tackle. The referee immediately received a signal from the VAR team, and the whole of Riazor held its breath. After reviewing the footage, the referee maintained his original decision, but the incident once again highlighted how fragile refereeing decisions can be in important matches. Fortunately for Betis, they were not reduced to ten men, but the psychological impact was clear. Shortly after, Pellegrini brought Adama Traoré on to use his pace in the final minutes. But by then, the momentum belonged to the home side. Adama made a couple of bursts but had no decisive pass. Betis seemed to have settled for a draw, and that acceptance cost them any last hope. In the 87th minute, from a lightning counter-attack down the left flank, Deportivo put the ball into the box. Centre-back Villares rose to head it past a helpless Valles. The ball nestled in the net. Riazor exploded. The goal was not beautiful, but it carried enormous tactical weight: it exposed the lack of concentration and defensive quality of a team aiming for the higher places. Villares's goal was no accident. It came from a flawless sequence: a long diagonal pass, a clean touch, a precise cross, and a well-placed header. The entire move took less than ten seconds. This was the football Deportivo had nurtured all match: waiting for the right moment to strike. Looking back, Real Betis were not short of chances to kill the game. They had opportunities that should have been converted, but misfortune combined with a lack of ruthlessness in the final moments. A shot off the line, a save from the opposition goalkeeper, and above all, the way they surrendered control of the match. Pellegrini, an experienced strategist, will surely review the footage to find out why his team could not maintain their shape after going ahead. In a competition as demanding as La Liga, one moment of carelessness can cost a title or a Champions League spot. The night at Riazor was a costly reminder: football does not reward safety. Teams that want to reach the top must take risks and kill the game early. Betis failed to do that. And they paid with two points. For those who love the green-and-white of Seville, there is reason to worry: is this a sign of decline, or just a blip in a long season? The answer will come in the coming rounds, where every minute matters more than ever.