Espanyol 1-1 Real Betis: All to play for in quarterfinal second leg
The Barcelona-based side travel to Seville for the return match next week
A late goal from Tony Sanabria gives Real Betis a slender advantage over Espanyol going into next week's Copa del Rey quarterfinal second leg in Seville.
ESP
1 ________________ 1
BET
LINE UP
Espanyol
Roberto; Rosales, Lluis López, Hermoso, Dídac; Marc Roca, Darder, Melendo (Álex López, 84'); Piatti (Puado, 78'), Baptistao (Sergio García, 66'), Borja Iglesias.
Real Betis
Joel; Mandi, Bartra, Feddal; Barragán, Guardado, Carvalho, Canales, Tello (Lainez, 80'); Loren (Sergio León, 62'), Sanabria (Kaptoum, 86').
Goles
1-0 M. 27 Borja Iglesias. 1-1 M. 81 Sanabria.
Árbitro
Mateu Lahoz (valenciano). TA: Hermoso (6') / Feddal (8').
Incidencias
Partido correspondiente a la ida de los cuartos de final de la Copa del Rey disputado en el RCDE Stadium bajo la mirada de 13.381 personas.
Borja Iglesias' first half goal looked to be enough for Espanyol to travel to the Benito Villamarin next week with a narrow one-goal lead -- and, more importantly, without conceding an away goal.
'The Panda,' as he's nicknamed, open the scoring after good work from Hermoso, Baptistao and Darder, with the latter delivering the ball into the area. Piatti's control was off but Borja arrived to open the scoring.
Espanyol deserved to go in front but Betis improved after the break. Sanabria had two chances, the first saved by Roberto and the second ruled out by VAR.
But the Paraguayan, a former La Masia player, didn't give up. William Carvalho led a counter-attack and Sergio Leon set up Sanabria, who fired hom under pressure from Didac.
The goal could prove key for Quique Setien's side in the second leg next week. It's all or nothing for Espanyol in Seville as they dream of a Copa semifinal spot.
