Betis Overtakes Villarreal

Real Betis defeated host Villarreal 2-1, catching up to capital club Real Madrid at the conclusion of the fifth matchday of the Spanish league last Monday. After falling behind to a goal by Gerard Moreno after half an hour of play (29th minute), the Andalusian side turned the tide with two goals in four minutes before the end of the first half, scored by Colombian Cutcho Hernandez (39th minute) and Brazilian Bernardo de Souza “Nathan” (43rd minute). Under Chilean manager Manuel Pellegrini, the team rose to third place with 12 points, level on goal difference with Real Madrid. Both teams trail titleholders and top-of-the-table Barcelona by three points; Barcelona sits atop the table with a perfect 15 points from five matches. Meanwhile, Villarreal, known as the “Yellow Submarines,” continue to drop points, still searching for their first La Liga win of the season after two draws and three defeats, leaving them in 18th place with just two points.